How the...............

[Shadowcaster]

.............Mobile Phone has changed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_aud ... s/37295969

Cheers
Rich

[Fozzer]

I'm probably out on a limb here?.... ....

....but I really do hate the bloody things with a vengeance as I watch folk around me using them!

Paul.... Fone Home... ....!

[Roypcox]

Paul this is an addiction as strong as heroin and crack cocaine and it starts when parents by them at 10-15 y/o. Taking picture of their genital and sending it to there boyfriend/girl friend or what ever!!! It is so hard to believe what these things are doing to us and there is no stopping it!!!homeboy

[pegger]

Addiction is right! People now sit in anticipation of the next text message or snap chat posts. Distracted driving, distracted walking, distracted learning...all real, and all caused by the addiction of being connected. Add to that all the research that is showing that the world is seeing new medical issues and health conditions caused by the devices. Everything from cancer, to spinal alignment, to repetitive motion injuries.

I will admit, the mobile device is a wonderful tool. I use mine a lot. This is due to my profession which involves a lot of time out of my office and in the field. But it is still just a tool. I need directions? no problem. Map in my pocket at all times. I need to email someone? No problem. Email in my pocket. For the busy business person on the go, the tool is indispensable.

I think half the problem is the nature of the world in which we live. Everything is "right now" or "rush". People are afraid of waiting. It's almost like people need immediate responses to their every comment or question, otherwise they feel that they do not exist or their self importance is invalidated. You see this with youtube, blogs, twitter, facebook, and even forums such as this. It seems that people establish their worth by how connected they are through technology. Friends are people you have never met. Subscribers is a measure of your popularity. The version of your mobile device is a status symbol to show off to everyone.

However, there are rules for use that I abide by rigidly.
1) If I'm driving, I have voice mail. Leave me a message. It can wait.
2) If I'm at home, I'm not working. Leave me a message. It can wait.
3) If I'm out with family or friends, I'm not working. Leave a message. It can wait.
4) If I didn't answer your call or respond to your text immediately, I'm obviously busy, or not interested in talking to you at the moment. Get over it and leave a message.
5) If you are my client and you want to reach me, I have an office phone. Here is the number. Cell phone number does not get handed out to anyone except those that I want to have it.

I am old enough to remember the time when you called your friend on their only home phone number, and if they weren't home, you tried back another time. I am also young enough to know that mobile communication is a valuable tool in today's world, but mature enough to know that one's life need not revolve around the stupid things.

[OldAirmail]

When people text me, I call them back.

They, usually, stop texting me after a while.

[Canuck1955]

The day I retired was the day my cellphone went in the garbage. It was very theraputic folks, try it. It is a release.
Notice how if the cell rings there is an immediate rush to answer it --- "Ooooh I am so important I have to cut off this face to face conversation to oh errr listen to my cell operator advertising some garbage". But when a landline rings note how it can go ignored ring after ring until somebody dains to answer it.

[Canuck1955]

..... and futhermore, 10 years ago the biggest companies in the world were the likes of IBM, ICI, Glaxo - people who actually made stuff which benefited people. Nowadays the biggies are all communications giants - something wrong there imho.

[Hagar]

Notice how if the cell rings there is an immediate rush to answer it --- "Ooooh I am so important I have to cut off this face to face conversation to oh errr listen to my cell operator advertising some garbage". But when a landline rings note how it can go ignored ring after ring until somebody dains to answer it.

Indeed. Very odd. I wonder if the shrinks have a name for this strange phenomenon?

Also, have you noticed how most young women permanently carry their mobile in their hand ready for instant use even though they have a handbag it could go in? It seems to be an indispensable fashion accessory nowadays.

[aussiewannabe]

I'm probably out on a limb here?.... ....

....but I really do hate the bloody things with a vengeance as I watch folk around me using them!

Paul.... Fone Home... ....!

Paul,

You are not alone my friend.

A couple of years ago, the person who sat in the next cubicle to mine told me she used her smartphone because "it relaxed her". Must have be a nervous nellie as every time I passed her cubicle, she was always staring at it or typing on it.

Did a legal project recently. Co-workers constantly staring at their phones. Project lasted a little more than 7 weeks for most of us. It was supposed to be 3-4 weeks. Client finally gave unlimited overtime (which I refused) and a deadline to finish the work.

[B0ikat]

Cell phones are so entrenched in the psyche of some people that there is a condition called "Nomophobia", the panic caused by the lack of a cell phone or cell service. My GF goes ape if her service is interrupted for any reason. She even got physically ill during a road trip once, and I had to pull over so she could "toss her cookies". She got better when her phone showed "bars' and she could check for text messages and missed calls.

[ViperPilot]

... I think half the problem is the nature of the world in which we live. Everything is "right now" or "rush". People are afraid of waiting. It's almost like people need immediate responses to their every comment or question, otherwise they feel that they do not exist or their self importance is invalidated. You see this with youtube, blogs, twitter, facebook, and even forums such as this. It seems that people establish their worth by how connected they are through technology. Friends are people you have never met. Subscribers is a measure of your popularity. The version of your mobile device is a status symbol to show off to everyone...

We live in a World where Patience is no longer a virtue, but a handicap. More than ever, it's now a World of "Dig me, look and Comment on everything I do."

You can thank Facebook for that; it's nothing more than a version of Online High School, with all of the cliques, jealousy and vindictiveness rolled into one Package.

Alan

[H]

When people text me, I call them back.

The first texts I got on my first cellphone were adds from the cell service. Then I found I have difficult time enough just keying in a phone number -- it's now even worse since my neuropathy. Unless it's already displayed when I answer, I won't open a text message to read it, let alone answer one -- too much time and effort; if I'm ever driving, I won't even carry on voice communications until I'm pulled off the road and parked.

[Apex]

Used to be New Year's Eve was the most dangerous time to be driving, now it's everyday, anyday. My cell is only for road emergencies or if the power goes out at home, otherwise it's off all the time. Basic plan, $10/month, .25 cents/minute talk time. I have no idea how to text, I don't care. I've gotten used to people walking around with their cells glued to their heads.

Part of the psychological fascination with cells is that they are small, very portable, and you can talk to anyone anywhere you are.

And if you're bored, you can always pretend you're Captain Kirk and walk around saying stuff like "Beam me up, Scotty" to the amusement of those around you.

That'll really get 'em!

[Canuck1955]

Basic plan, $10/month, .25 cents/minute talk time.

My wife has aa similar deal, she currently has a balancer of over $400 If and when the thing every rings she can never get to it before the caller rings off as it is buried deep in the hidden recess of her handbag. It's hilarious watching her trying to get to it.

[Fozzer]

My useless piece of junk (Mobile phone) cost £25, and is; "pay-as-you-go", top up, (no contract).

A £5 top-up lasts me years, I just have to remember to call my land-line phone number now and again, to retain the connection!

I cant see the details on the display in the sunlight, (outside).

I cant hear what folks are saying when they phone me. (I've probably got it upside down, or back to front)

The long delay between me talking, and getting a reply, drives me mad! (The call gets directed to the constellation Alpha Centauri and back again).

If I make a call and put the device to my ear to listen, and press the dial button, all I get is a photo of my left ear.

So, altogether, its mainly a useless piece of junk... ....

...and I use my copper-wire, land-line phone, if I want to call someone....
...and they call me on my copper-wire land-line phone.

That works a treat!.... ....!

Paul.... ....!