Whether human history is advancing from a beginning point to an end point – teleologically - or is merely cyclical is a debate that has been going on between historians, scientists and technologists for some time now. For instance, the 20th century was a period of rapid and unprecedented change with the enormous progress being made in modern medicine, science and technology having a profound affect on the way humans lived their lives. Life expectancies in the West soared, global travel became a reality, technology empowered millions of people to work in with their minds rather than their bodies. However some would argue that the world has been shaped by the same impulses and needs as it ever was. Aldous Huxley the British science fiction writer and author of ‘Brave New World’ captures this sense of things being simultaneously always and never new. He said ‘The charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consist in the fact that, from age to age, nothing changes and yet everything is completely different.’

Technology sits at the heart of this debate, facilitating huge changes in our lives. But when you consider the impact of technological innovation upon the way we are, the changes might not be as seismic as they first appear. Indeed a recent survey commissioned by BT expresses the constant nature of human behaviour - which any amount of technology will never change.

BT's 21st Century Life Index Report, which was released this week, examines the digital world as it stands today compared with the visions of the public 10 years ago. It found that the proportion of the population spending more than five hours per week online has doubled in the last 10 years from just 24 per cent in 1998 to 57 per cent in 2008. We can expect this figure to grow by the same order of magnitude over the next 10 years. This is new: what is not is what people are doing in there online time. According to the report people are spending more time online to stay in touch with loved ones and to do some shopping. Not so new.

Other interesting stats include the fact that three quarters of us now use the internet to keep in touch compared to 44% ten years ago. There is also the unexpected impact of technology, which despite its benefits can sometimes make us feel alone and disconnected: just over two-thirds of those polled preferred speaking face-to-face rather than using any technology to stay in touch, compared to 51% ten years ago.

Alnoor Samji, Director of Ipsos MORI, said: "The results from BT's 21st Century Life Index Report reveal how consumers have steadily shifted their communications habits over the last 10 years from exclusively voice and mobile, to email on the move - as well as much greater interaction with social networking sites - to help them stay in touch with friends and family." I for one rather like the fact that the use of new and complex technology is driven by something as basic and timeless as keeping in touch with your friends. Same as it ever was.

By Sam Ingleby, Programme Manager