In 1992, I was working as the General Manager of a multi million dollar restaurant. To say that it was a stressful job would be a serious understatement.Normal work weeks would top 60+ hours and I had two children under the age of six. I had an average staff of approximately 30, who all needed guidance and attention.
One day, my supervisor showed up unannounced carrying a gift wrapped package. He was not one to ever step over the clearly marked line of professionalism, so I was a bit taken back when he asked me to come outside because he had something for me. His face was full of joyful anticipation as he urged me to "open it". As I opened the package, I wasn't sure how to respond. In the package was a pager, and he was exclaiming, "Now we can get a hold of you anytime"! The sincerity in his voice was the first clue that it was not a prank. The confusion on his face when he saw my response was the second clue. I don't remember exactly how the rest of our conversation proceeded. Looking back, it seems like I was in a haze. What I do remember, is telling him, "This is not a gift." And at some point, I turned in my two weeks notice. This was my first run in with invasive technology.
The cell phone has long since taken the place of the pager, and along with all of its advancements, it has become increasingly invasive.
Many people cite safety as the reason cell phones have become necessities. We are now able to stay in constant contact with our children. Car problems? No problem, we now have help right at our fingertips. But, at what price are we willing to give up our peace of mind?
Even if you personally choose not to have a cell phone, it is unlikely that your day will not be disrupted by someone else's. They often take away the attention of someone with whom you are conversing.
Want to try to hide away in a dark theater to escape the cell pone nuisance? Good luck! Although the social norm has veered away from actually talking on the phone during a film, its a common occurrence to have LED screens lit during movies, under the pretense that the people are being polite by texting instead of talking. It has become such a problem that Harkins Theatre recently began a public campaign NTDM (N0 Texting During Movie), in an attempt to curb the offenses.
You can't even get in your car and drive away from their presence. According to ArticleBase.com, 73% of all cell phone users talk while they are driving. This statistic means that at any given minute on United States' highways, 10% of all drivers are using these devices (Aug 2008). Due to recent research results proving that the distraction from cell phone use while driving (hand held or hands free) extends a driver's reaction as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent (University of Utah), multiple states are in the process of passing laws to restrict usage while driving.
Even while hiking high in the Appalachian Mountains it is impossible to escape their presence, the highest peaks along the horizon are dotted with cell towers. The number of towers in the US is expected to grow from 175,000 to 260,000 in 2010.
Try as you might, there is no avoiding the presence of the cell phone. This is not a gift.
Being born into the wonderful world of cell phones I had never thought that there once was a time that when you left your job, you ACTUALLY left. Reading your passage really melted my heart. I have always had a cell phone, and have never had more than a day without the disruption of a text message or phone call so it doesn't bother me. But for you, going from actually having a life to it being taken away by this pager, and then a cell phone really shocks me. I completely understand why my dad is so anti-phone now. He gets so annoyed when people at his buisness call him while he's on vacation, or trying to take a nap. I see now why this would cause havoc.
ReplyDeleteYour blog had a great flow to it. It was easy for me to read and easy for me to understand what you were saying, and how you were feeling. Overall I would say this was a well written blog post.
ReplyDeleteGreat insight to the revolutionary telecommunications business. I agree with you in many aspects regarding the nusiance cell phones often create and you make a strong argument regarding accidents and driver inattention that cannot be disputed. This is an ever increasing problem throughout developed countries. I do think that you left out some key arguments that should have been addressed in your blog. One is that of the convienience that cell phones provide. No more running to a stationary pay phone and searching your car for just the right change to make an emergency call.
ReplyDeleteIn addtion as emergencies go, many phones have 911 features that work even in areas with little to no coverage that allow emergency personnel to locate and assist those in need. This was rare before the emergence of all those cell towers and increased technology. And finally, as a mother of two children the convienience of having contact with your kids (especially in their teen years) is evermore important in todays world. Also, we do have the choice to turn our phones off and ignore those that ignore us to take a call.