Silence in the 21st Century

After reading Richard Beck's, On Silence and Cell Phones, my mind has really given it a lot of thought over the past couple of weeks. I had mentioned deactivating my Facebook account, in a attempt to free up some time that I felt was being wasted. Then that aforementioned blog post came to be and really convicted me to follow through.
Sadly, I think the time I might have saved, has already been swallowed up in other online endeavours, such as Twitter. Currently, I have been restructuring who I "follow". But anyhow that's another distraction to contend with.
What I really wanted to converse about was, How do we as a 21st Century generation that has every means to communicate to the world at large... be silent? In the midst of cell phones (mobiles), twitter, facebook, blackberrys, iPhones and constant communication... how do we detach from all of that and find solitude.
I also remember something (admittedly vaguely) said years ago from Randy Harris, the first Church of Christ Monk (his tagline). He said that 98% of what we say is probably completely unnecessary. I began to think about how that correlates to my online participation. Why is it we feel the need to speak out into the world wide web about every thought that comes through our head? What is our fascination with sharing our every thought with the world at large.
Is it a egotistical view of ourselves? Have we become self-centred? I came across another blog article which put me in my place, yet again. Do I have this subliminal pipe dream to become a great author and speaker of some sort, another voice in the mass of voices calling out Christians, but not discipling and being an example.
At least Paul, writer of half the New Testament spent enough time with those to whom he was writing so that he could say with full confidence:

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." -1 Cor. 11:1(NIV)

We surround ourselves with so much noise. I really do find it a relief to have everything turned off (and Josiah to be napping). It's great to have that occasional silence. If only I would venture away from the computer as well, to eliminate even ocular noise. To spend time in absolute solitude.
Granted it's in solitude that we realise we're never alone. Sometimes that is the best time to talk to God and listen for his answers. If only we could take more time to listen.