But today, whenever there is an unanticipated short silence -- cell service goes temporarily dead, e-mail or text messaging or social networks cease to function because of an electronic burp somewhere -- it gives us the occasion to reflect upon how quickly we have gotten used to the new way, with our messages coming in and going out continually and seamlessly, day and night.

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"If I had taken one more knock, I would have ended up paralysed, or even dead, " he told the Mail on Sunday.

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It involves scam artists - often masquerading as corrupt officials or sons and daughters of dead dictators - offering people via e-mail or faxes shares in hidden fortunes in exchange for simple administrative assistance.

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Chapin, who lives in San Diego, answered his cell phone, but when this writer identified himself, the line suddenly went dead and a follow-up call went into a voice mail.

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