They’re used for everything from making calls, to finding directions, to sending email to updating Facebook. Cell phones these days are obviously more than just things for talking and listening.
courtesy: Highways Agency
In some cases, people might even consider them critical. They even go as far as calling them pet names like “Baby” or “Sweetie.”
Why is it so easy to do this? Because phone makers have made it so easy to depend so much on our phones. Look for a pay phone in your community. Can you easily find one? Probably not. What about a map? Other than of a small geographic area at a bus or train stop? Probably not. What about a public computer that has internet access. Head to the library.
What has this dependence done to society? We now know a lot more about the top of people’s heads, as it seems their faces are buried in their phones. There must be more walking near-collisions, too, though data cannot be found on this.
What happens when a phone’s batteries die? It can be catastrophic. Do you take a left or right at the next intersection? What time was that appointment? Want to take a picture of that celebrity who just walked by — sorry! Bored on the bus and looking for some funny Facebook posts — oh well.
No longer do friends sit at a bar debating for hours who scored the winning run in the 19xx championship game in sport Z. Everyone grabs their phones and quickly looks up the answer.
Is this better or worse for society? Certainly collisions are not good, but if it’s for sake of finding directions, are they worth it? Does seeking out the answers avoid fights? Can that phone call wait?
What do you think? Maybe you want to weigh in as you’re riding the bus or walking down Main Street. But do it before the battery dies!
