Well, gotta have the cell. Can't live without the cell. It's this world we live in today. We must be connected. We have to be continuously checking for something... anything. Someone must be out there ready to tell me what they had for breakfast, what they plan for their day or how really happy they are, at least for now. Some days, I truly wonder how I ever survived my teen and early adult lives without being attached, almost at the hip, to these rectangles that shout out color, videos and random music from favorite songs. We are being held hostage in a way. In someways, on some days I wish the SWAT teams might break through and rescue us. From ourselves. Last week, a good friend lost her phone and started an emotional breakdown. The tears just flowed and flowed. It was difficult to understand her at times. She was embarrassed too. Was she crying for loss of photos, numbers or messages? Quite frankly, no. She was stressed, because she could no longer hold it in her hand. It was a tactile thing, I guess.
Me? Lose my wallet, and then you'll see the tears flow and a few, well placed, curses to the sky!
i can almost understand as i've learned to live with mine in my pocket at all times.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid that we are losing some essential avenues of human contact because of these rectangular objects; where has the art of letter writing gone?!!
ReplyDeleteI've thought about the same thing many times. I sure did a lot of things in my life without all this contact. I remember my very first trip to Europe, I was away from contact for two weeks. No phone, no email. There was international calling but geeze that was too expensive. Now I can text a friend a photo of Big Ben while I'm standing in front of it. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you posted this piece today. My wife and I just went to the Saratoga Racecourse for breakfast. I was fascinated by all people in every capacity imaginable that were texting or talking on their cell phones while being surrounded by such beauty and history. Jockey's, trainers, kids, and well seasoned adults all lost in an electronic world of flyby nothingness. Okay, so I'm guilty too, I have a memory card full of photos to post...
ReplyDeleteI love my liberty, so I have a very simple mobile which can only phone (no internet, no tweet, no fb on it) and only a few people have my number. I feel free, so much free than people around..
ReplyDeleteI know I am really old fashioned, but I barely use my cell phone. Most of my friends and colleagues can't do without it, but I still know a couple of guys who still manage quite well completely without!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a heavy user of my mobile phone too, less texting less calling.. but I love to take pictures with it :)
ReplyDeleteCell phones have become a ubiquitous necessity. I have a love/hate affair with them. I hate them intensely and long for the days when you had one phone at home and if you weren't there to answer the damn thing, oh well, who cares. And you could take a drive in the car without worrying about a phone ringing in your pocket or purse or somewhere! At the same time, I do like having instant access to other people, places and things.
ReplyDeleteI worry, though, that technology's gonna kill us!
I agree... my husband and I were out for a sandwich and a beer a few weeks ago... a man and his wife or girlfriend were sitting at another table. The whole time we were there the guy never got his face out of his phone, I nodded my head toward them, and told my husband. If I'd have been her, I'd be ticked.
ReplyDeleteGeesh, you said it brother.
ReplyDeleteI always have mine in my pocket - crazy isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI keep my cell in my purse. Even when at home. Hard for my friends to understand. They expect me to be, "on call", when they want to reach me by cell. It is a convenience, not a necessity.
ReplyDeleteI thought of the old Stones song: "sittin', thinkin', drinkin', sinkin', wondering what I'll do when I'm through tonight." If Mick had a cell phone back then he could have figured it out.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Fay. I use mine more for photos. I never keep mine near but I do know where it's at.
ReplyDeleteTimes... they are a changing
ReplyDeleteAfter my last job as Director's assistant in Brazil, I avoid telephones and mobiles...I want to live free! :)
ReplyDeleteAfter 3 years without mobile, now I have one in Belgium, but I use basically to take pictures. Anyway I always forget to carry it when I go out! LOL
Léia
I do have a mobile but literally just for calls and texts and even then as little as possible..I would never have a conversation if I was with someone. :)
ReplyDeleteGee, Bird, you have shamed me. I carry an iPhone and it is in my hand with some regularity. Check email, see if anyone has looked at my blog, take a picture, get directions, google something that interests me, receive a text or a photo from my daughter on another continent. Sometimes even place a call. You are right about rude people checking it in situations when they should be talking with companions (which I do NOT do), but for many other situations it is invaluable.
ReplyDeleteJack from Hartford: always a dissenter.
I'm mostly free of the cell...but checking things can be addictive...thought provoking words here, & am loving the photo...
ReplyDelete