Whether you have been on the sending or receiving end of an ill-considered email or phone call—be it a drunk-dialing an ex or sending a venomous message to an in-law when all you really needed was a good night’s sleep—it is an oft proven fact that while technology provides convenience, it often destroys any chance for sober second thought.

Apple and Google recognize our human weakness, and have put time and money into helping users avoid alcohol- or rage-inspired mishaps. Google recently announced on their official Gmail blog that users will be able to install a “Panic Button” that will allow them to undo e-mails up to five seconds after they were sent out. 

“This feature can’t pull back an e-mail that’s already gone; it just holds your message for five seconds so you have a chance to hit the ‘Panic Button’,” Google user-experience designer Michael Leggett wrote on the blog.

It’s a nice concept for those who quickly realize they hit “reply all” button after ripping on the boss’ latest big announcement, instead of only replying to their favourite office buddy. But ale-impaired reflexes may have no use for that one.  This new service comes on the heels of Google’s optional ”Mail Goggles” feature(launched this past October), which requires users to verify their sobriety by answering five simple math questions in less than a minute, before allowing an e-mail to be sent out. 

Apple, also obviously deeply aware of the drunk dial problem, launched a new iPhone application deemed the “Bad Decision Blocker” ,which claims to “protect you from yourself”, allowing users to block themselves from sending messages to potential targets of drunken calls and text.  The program works by allowing users to select the person they want to block and the duration. It then takes the person’s contact information out of the address book and puts it in a secret place not readable by over-emotional drunkards.

Technology:  bringing us closer together and always offering the opportunity to tear ourselves apart.