In audio, we use "Phantom Power" to allow Condenser microphones to function which need an additional +48vdc of power. These microphones are more sensitive that traditional dynamic mics or ribbon mics. The fascination I have with this type of technology is the incorporation of the audio signal that is traveling through the cabling and also the added +48vdc of current.

Everyone has friends...or hopefully so. The degree of those friends (how much you speak...see each other...things you have in common, etc) is a variable factor from each friendship to friendship. Some, you can't go a day without speaking or being in communication with each other and the extreme being you can go months and months between conversations. The later is what I refer to as a "Phantom Friend." That term is not being used in a negative or condescending way.

In this "social networking age," we are able to instantly have communication with people from all around the globe in fractions of a second. This can keep is connected through whatever medium we choose to. In fact, many of my friends that I have are a great distance away! From Tampa, FL...Atlanta, GA...Nashville, TN...New Orleans, LA.

Yesterday, I received a message from a friend a few hours away. It has been at least six months since we had a real conversation. It was really great hearing from him, and what is even better is I am glad to see his success.

Even though we had not had a conversation in a number of months, that does not mean that the friendship was null and void. I am sure that there was at least one time in that number of months that we had thought about calling each other, but for some reason, that did not work out. That to me is the fascinating part of this topic...just as phantom power secretly powers microphones, "phantom friendships" secretly powers support and concern for those you call your friends.


-Ken

Labels: application, audio, friendships, phantom, social networking