#9 - Cell Phones

I think that I have reached a point in my life where a cell phone is more of a nuisance than a luxury. I must be an exemption in this day of age and of my generation. I did not grow up with a cell phone nor have I been overly dependent upon one. The first one I received was when I was a senior in high school, but before that I had a pager for a couple years. I thought that was the cool thing then, a pager! Now, I just can't believe how obsessed society has become for cell phones. I find it rather repulsive that immediately following class how many students get on their cell phones. Hell, about 1/3 of the students in class are messing with their cell phones during the class. How important do these people think they are that they have to be in constant contact with someone 24/7? Is it really too difficult to not touch it for an hour and 15 minutes? I don't know why it frustrates me, but it does. I have been trying to convince my wife that a cell phone for me is wasting money. If the idea is to be accessible to people, then I am accessible to people that I don't want to be accessible to. For one, the only people that call me during the day, for 6 days a week, are bill collectors. So even if someone legitimately calls me, I don't answer because I'm so used to someone wanting money that I don't have to give them. This is the voice function of the cell phone that I can do without. Having a cell phone does not make me feel safe, although I can see how someone might feel safe with one. However, it is not necessary for everyone and their brother to have an iPhone to feel safe. I find it odd how the term "cell phone" seems to be quietly transitioning into "iPhone". Apple really seems to be trying to control the cell phone industry by advertising "If you don't have an iPhone, well then you don't have an iPhone". Advertising like that really makes me ponder the functionalities of the iPhone and why they want EVERYONE to have one and why they can't be satisfied with the 90 million + units that has been sold so far through the first quarter of 2011. My skepticism of products, especially technological products, has only been further solidified by the content of Comm 303, particularly pertaining to privacy and security. Every cell phone continually gets upgraded daily, it seems, and with more sophisticated features implemented. While many of these features sound outstanding, like GPS, I view them as one way "Big Brother" can pry into our lives. For me, it makes the world seem smaller and more dangerous. But for now, I will continue to have my cell phone until my current contract with Sprint expires. I am at an age where I don't have to feel "cool" anymore unless its to my son, of whom thinks I'm cool regardless if I have the new phone or not. I have been slowly weeding out unnecessary expenses, and my cell phone just happens to be the next one on the "out".