Locked in a Cell

"When you get in your car, you reach for it. When you're at work, you take a break to have a moment alone with it. When you get into an elevator, you fondle it. Cigarettes? Cup of coffee? Nope, it's the third most addictive substance in modern life, the cell phone" writes journalist Jon Markman in his astounding article 'Cell phones are the new cigarettes'.

This striking opening paragraph sets a definite tone for the rest of the article, which orientates around the evil of the evouloution of cell phone technology. Markman believes that the cell phone connects us to the world as it disconnects us from people three feet away. He claims that there are those amoung us who are likely to "hug it more tightly than most of their personal relationships".

The costs of cell phone use are not just financial, and do not just refer to your monthly bill. Research has shown that cell phones inspire social problems not much different from other addictions, "creating an obstacle to one on one personal contact and an escape from reality".

Marman goes on to write that despite the invention and on-going developing on communication technologies such as cell phones, email and instant messaging, our current generation doesn't have as many friends as our parents and grandparents. "Just as more information has led to less wisdom, more acquaintances via the Internet and cell phones have produced fewer friends".

The number of cell phone owners in the US jumped from 1 million in 1987 to 200 million today. Do cell phones govern our lifestyle?

I must admit that without my cell phone, I would be a little bit lost. I frequently engage in "casual text", sending irrelevant snippets of humour to my friends. Does this mean I'm addicted? No. Dependent? Maybe. As time evolves, cell phones become more compact and efficient, and different technologies have begun to work in coalition with eachother. Who doesn't want a 6.0 mega pixel camera on their phone? Or access to Facebook and Youtube from anywhere in the country? Cell phones make life easier, well they do for me anyway. If I didn't have one, how would I stay in touch with friends on a regular basis when we no longer attend the same school? I miss my bus, my cell allows me to text away for the timetable. I miss school, I can text a classmate for the homework.

So no, cell phones do not govern our lifestyle, but make it easier. I would like to write more on this subject, but my cell is ringing. Goodbye.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/SuperModels/CellPhonesAreTheNewCigarettes.aspx