People sit in rooms and communicate with others not sitting in that room, ignoring those around them.
Any Tom, Dick or Harre can launch a political party.
Even rugby has changed. Players wear make-up, and boots are no longer simply black.
But one thing which has not changed in rugby is this: if a team wants to win, it must have a solid set piece.
The Highlanders failed in that regard on Saturday night in Christchurch against the Crusaders and that is why they came up well short.
The Crusaders won 34-8 after leading 17-3 at halftime and were far too good for a Highlanders side which just could not gain any parity up front.
Highlanders lock Joe Wheeler said the forward pack could not get a foothold in the match and that meant little quality possession could be gained.
''The Crusaders are a fantastic side and we could not hold on to the ball for any period,'' Wheeler said.
''Our set piece has been a bit of an issue for us. The lineout has been frustrating. That probably comes down to me and the combinations, which are all a bit off, really.
''We are probably over-thinking it a little bit. We'll look at the video and iron out what has to be done. But it is an area we have to have a look at.
''Over the past two weeks we have come up against two quality forward packs. Last week we faced a Wallabies pack and then basically an All Black pack.
''We are always going to be up against it but if you are not winning your set-piece ball it is going to make it hard to win the game. So we have to fix that.''
The Highlanders lineout was wonky throughout, and in the first half Liam Coltman and his jumpers could not find each other. Too often, they went for long throws when a better option may have been going short.
The visiting side's scrum also slowly disintegrated as the Crusaders forward pack found its mojo.
Highlanders captain Nasi Manu did not pull any punches about his side's performance.
''I think we were simply outplayed by a quality side. As forwards, we were not quite there at the set piece and did not deliver quality ball to our backs. They are a quality side who played well. They really stretched us,'' Manu said.
''As a forward pack, we were just a bit off. And if you can't give your backs good ball then you're going to struggle.''
The Highlanders were in the game in the opening 30 minutes but conceded penalties and slowly slipped out of the contest.
Crusaders flanker Matt Todd scored from a rolling maul right on the break and that gave the home side a handy lead at halftime.
He did the same thing three minutes after the break and it was game over. Winger Nemani Nadolo then scored a couple of minutes later, although there was a shade of obstruction in the try.
Highlanders winger Richard Buckman showed some strength to score the only Highlanders try with 15 minutes left, but the Crusaders answered with another rolling maul try by replacement hooker Corey Flynn.
Few from the Highlanders had good games, although Buckman tried hard and halfback Aaron Smith did all he could behind a pack going backwards.
Highlanders v Crusaders
The scores
Crusaders 34
Matt Todd 2, Nemani Nadolo, Corey Flynn tries; Dan Carter con, 4 pen
Highlanders 8
Richard Buckman try, Hayden Parker pen
Halftime: Crusaders 17-3.
Crowd: 17,300.
