![]() |
|
|
January 12, 2009 at 00:38:34
Cell Phone Invasion Of Thought by James Raider Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
|
|
There exists a space of about six feet in diameter around each of us that has long been considered our very personal and intimate domain. We become uncomfortable when someone invades that space uninvited, yet cell phones invade more than our personal space. They intrude on the moment. Whether cell phones have become an addiction can be debated; however, what has become an incontrovertible event of daily life is the cell phone’s ability to vexingly override everything and anything that might be momentarily adventuring in the minds of hundreds of millions of us. Elevators, for example, bundle others into our small unconcealed air space, but these invaders don’t generally intrude on our cerebral deliberations and consciousness. Our personal spaces are intruded on unusually when we are in motion. Thought, on the other hand, is invaded by untimely surprises of cell phone rings. Sudden appearance of a call forces a diversion, even a dismissal, of whatever is preoccupying our minds in the moment. When in a conversation with an acquaintance or friend, and the person’s phone rings, their attention is instantly diverted. Even if they don’t automatically answer the call, they will check who is calling, then perhaps provide an accommodating gesture indicating the caller is less important in their lives. The gesture is not reassuring. Their glance returns to the phone, there is a hesitation, then the decision becomes final. Your discussion is to continue. The sequence of the moment has been broken. The discussion, intimate or business, received a decisive insinuation. Whether you were more important than the intruder, you might never know. A phone’s ring barged in on your fellow traveler’s thoughts, as well as your own. You can’t help but be irritated. All of us feel that irritation daily. The rudeness, or selfish behavior that intrudes on our lives by those who must share loud cell phone conversations with crowds is not the most disturbing trend impacting our cultures. The most troubling reality is the cell phone’s random intrusion willingly allowed into our minds, striking rudely into the heart of our thinking, deliberating, pondering, creating, considering, or reading, and writing. We accede to the most invasive trespassing when we are alone, yet that is when we do much of our more important thinking. It would treat mankind to preferential treatment and would nurture humanity’s advancement if we implored our cell phones to provide us some long disconnections from the ring. Our common consciousness would be grateful.
James Raider writes The Pacific Gate Post
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Contact Author |
Contact Editor |
View Authors' Articles |
|
|
|
|
| 10 comments |
|
Your Article
How wonderful to see there's a mind out there that thinks the way I do! by AJ Buttacavoli (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 23 diaries, 45 comments) on Monday, Jan 12, 2009 at 3:41:15 PM
|
|
not circumference
i'm sure you meant either radius or diameter!!!!--SORRY by iamjmb (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 45 comments) on Monday, Jan 12, 2009 at 4:14:15 PM
|
|
not circumference
i'm sure you meant either radius or diameter!!!!--SORRY by iamjmb (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 45 comments) on Monday, Jan 12, 2009 at 4:14:29 PM
|
|
Reply: The invaded space
iamjmb, Thanks for the note on the brain hiccup. What's a few feet between friends anyway? :-) by James Raider (41 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 106 comments [2 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Monday, Jan 12, 2009 at 5:15:12 PM
|
|
No phone edicate.
I have no problem with people talking on the phone in public if they are by themselves. But if a person is with someone and giving of their time, I think it is only respectful to turn the thing off. by Lindiana (2 articles, 2 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 49 comments) on Monday, Jan 12, 2009 at 5:06:19 PM
|
|
Reply: Etiquette
Lindiana, Perhaps this gives rise to a new High School Course - Cell Phone Etiquette? by James Raider (41 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 106 comments [2 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009 at 2:14:40 PM
|
|
What I find bizarre
I find it bizarre when people have to have headsets on in public. Then they walk around gabbing like they are so important and someone really cares what they have to say. In reality they are lonely useless nobodies that have nothing better to do than gab on the phone all day doing nothing productive. by Gallaher (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 990 comments [34 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009 at 1:43:14 AM
|
|
Reply: Gallaher
... and no one knows if there is anyone at the other end of those discussions. I have often suspected NOT. by James Raider (41 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 106 comments [2 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009 at 2:10:40 PM
|
|
Not only intruding on your space
But intruding into your body. If people could see cell-phone radiation like they could see light, there would be mass rebellion against these portable microwave ovens. Prediction: More and more brain cancers like Kennedy has soon to appear as heavy cell users develop the cancers first. by Roger Thomas (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 131 comments [10 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009 at 12:43:25 PM
|
|
Reply: RADIATION
Roger, That one may be the most serious long term physical impact. The world is still in denial on it. by James Raider (41 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 106 comments [2 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009 at 2:08:07 PM
|
Want to post your own comment on this Article?
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tell a Friend:
|
Copyright © 2002-2009, OpEdNews |