I certainly hope not and not just because I write for the dead tree press.

I am very happy to make use of the Internet, which allows one to send copy in an instant from anywhere in the world, for writing purposes.

How on earth did we ever manage without instant Google research when we had to check facts by sifting through bulky encyclopaedia?

But for reading, I far prefer the old-fashioned printed word.

Which is one reason why in our technologically savvy 21st century, the Shabbat - when all Internet use is banned - is more precious than ever.

In my hectic weekdays, I make do with instant electronic media news soundbites, but for a more thorough analysis of what has been happening throughout the week I save my newspapers for Shabbat when, at my leisure, I can peruse and react to news analysis at my own pace.

And the same with books. There is nothing like a good printed book to engross oneself in on a Shabbat when e-books, which I refuse to read because they are just not relaxing, are strictly off limits.

While being an undoubted asset in so many aspects of our lives, the Internet and its associated technology is in danger of making us all hyperactive, impatient creatures who have totally lost the art of patience and relaxation and who can be driven to distraction by a minute's delay in accessing a website.

On Shabbat, too, people can communicate with one another meaningfully, face to face, rather than the superficial "friendships" of social media sites like Facebook and the ever-ringing mobile phones, which constantly disturb weekday face-to-face interaction.

Like Prime Minister David Cameron who is seeking to make porn less accessible on the Internet, American rabbis are terribly concerned about what can be accessed online.

Nearly six years ago, Rabbi Matisyahu Solomon, formerly of Gateshead Yeshiva and now of Lakewood Yeshiva, USA, tried to ban his large charedi flock from having any access to the Internet.

But his efforts proved futile as the pace of technological change hastened, engulfing us all.

Now, on May 20, nearly 50,000 men are expected to attend a New York gathering where the rabbi will urge his followers to use porn filters to ensure nothing impure alights on their computers and phones.

The problem is not just what we can access on the Internet but also the disruptions to the pace and quality of our lives caused by our over-dependence on technology.

This is a problem for which Shabbat is our weekly reminder as it brings a bit more peace and tranquillity into our lives from which hopefully we can bring something forward into the week to come.

Beware of ALL political extremists

THIS year's spring has so far failed to take off. If the weather continues as cold as it is, pensioners are going to need summer - as well as winter - fuel allowances to pay their heating bills.

Our spring is just as cold and chilling as that proclaimed by MP George Galloway in Bradford after his Respect party gained five council seats following his parliamentary by-election gain in Bradford West.

The chilling warnings of extremist electoral gains are clear as across Europe extremist parties from both the right and the left take advantage of the difficult economic climate and up their vote. In France, until she advised her supporters to cast a blank vote, Front Nationale leader Marine Le Pen could have been a kingmaker in Sunday's presidential election.

In Greece's general election, the Golden Dawn took advantage of the country's dire economic situation to promote its party which has worrying similarities with that of the Nazis.

In this country our democratic challenges come both from the right-wing BNP, which won resounding victories in the last Euro elections, and from Galloway's far-right Respect party which plays to the clannish Muslim vote. One of the worrying things about last week's local elections was the low turnout - a factor of which dynamic campaigners from small parties take advantage. But the turnout was not low everywhere.

As I drove through Manchester's Cheetham Hill early last Thursday evening, loads of the local residents, mainly Muslims, were thronging the streets, aiming for the polling booths. Fortunately, there were no Respect candidates around and Labour maintained its high majority in the area.

But we dare not take this for granted for ever.

Galloway is an extremely acute campaigner in Muslim heartlands.

He is not likely to be satisfied with Bradford for ever and is surely likely to spread his wings further afield.

We Jews must be aware of the dangers of all political extremists, both from the right and the left, and make sure we use our votes at every opportunity.

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