http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/med_oblivious_texters

  I have never once sent a text message, nor do I have any desire to. Cellphones succeed very well in making me angry and not much else. I can't even stand checking my voicemail; it's an irritating procedure. At work and just about everywhere I see people playing with their little wireless digital devices. I'm mystified. Just give me a book - those don't make noises.

  I believe I've received a total of 3 text messages and I've complained about 2 of them. One of them was sent by my service provider and complaining to them would involve using the very object I despise. My belief about using cellphones is that they are for emergencies only. I own one because my old car would often break down, so it was quite useful. My new car does not break down and I'm tempted to get rid of my cellphone altogether, but there is a chance it could break down. Plus, I don't want to pay for a land line.

  People complain to me about the fact I leave my cellphone off. But they don't understand that instead of complaining, they should use that time to say what they wanted to say. I strongly disagree with this new notion of 'always available'. I would like to at least be able to wipe my ass without worrying about someone needing to tell something I don't need to hear.

If you don't want texts coming to you, I believe you can usually talk to your service provider and have them disabled for you so that way you won't get any whatsoever.

Wow, I'm scared... I totally agree with what Jodo is saying here. The end times are upon us...

But seriously, I work at an eletroplating plant and I find it very pathetic/sad when someone is one their phone every time we have a break/reprieve. The one guy who just resigned was on the phone with his girl in Florida (we're in PA) every second he could muster, he was one whipped little fu.... uh, person.

As for text messages, I think my plan allows me to send 10 without being charged but I have to pay for any incoming ones. I don't text at all so I kinda get annoyed when someone does msg me.

Cell phones are great but at the same time they've also ruined a lot of things...

i don't even own a cell phone... i had one back in the late 90s that I kept in case of an emergency (back when i was still flying)

I have friends and family scattered all around the country (and world!).  Explain to me exactly why it's a bad thing having more communication options with my loved ones?

There is nothing is wrong with it, but when one talks more with people that aren't at your local more than those that are (forming bonds and interacting) I honestly think you're sending the wrong/a poor message...

I think a similar case can be argued for ipods and other music devices. Basically all these electronic devices (cell phones, ipods, etc) have completely alienated people. I see lots of people walk around who are completely oblivious to their surroundings. Always listening to their music, always talking on their cell phone, and when they get home, it's time to go online...
I am absolutely certain this stunts growth. Perhaps not physically, but certainly mentally and emotionally (is it really any surprise that people are graduating from college without the most basic rudimentary skills? Not to mention no marketable skills whatsoever!) Many people now (especially the "younger" generation) live in their own little world. This is not a good thing at all. Now that's not to say that cell phones and ipods are bad. I own both and use them (infrequently compared to most people) and they have their uses. However, I have to agree with Jodo in that it seems like people are SO dependent on these devices that it's quite sad.

-avatar!

You and me both, man. I was given a Blackberry because of work and I loathe the little f---. I'm supposed to be "available" all of the time, but that means I have no privacy, personal space or semblance of an undisturbed personal life because of this cursed brick. Therefore, I turn the BB off before I leave the office and turn it back on when I get in so I am always available while I'm on the clock. If I am covering after hours calls (which I am compensated for), I keep myself readily available. But during my time, my life, my own little personal bubble? The device is off, and the Tommy is on.

- Bid on items!
- Visit Tokyo!
- What a pain..

You an' your goddamned obscure-ass Final Fantasy references..

I love your Fantasy Klub cross-reference!
( ;

*slow clap*

Yep, sounds about right, dude. Just about everything has its place in moderation - that's the key word here. There's nothing wrong with going online and using iPods and chatting (here I am typing, and here you are reading), but doing it all the time is ridiculous. I do most of my computer-related stuff while I'm here at work; I'm on hold sometimes or I have downtime or whatever, so I poke around. Gone are the nights when I head home from work and sit right back down at a computer. I went home for lunch today and sat on the sun porch with my meal (and my cat) and just enjoyed the day. No music, no phone, no nothing. It was pleasant!

And now I'm going to stop before I turn this thread into a diary.

Is that from FF6's Carrier Pigeon Service guy? Or was it in the CLASSROOM of Narche? I can't remember..

If ol' Miss Strep Throat calls you one more time, just throw the fcukin' thing in a water fountain.

For me, the simple solution is to switch my phone off, which I do most of the time. As for others, they can do what they like.

Yeah, I guess I'm confused by the people who think that you have to be at the beck and call of your phone 24/7.  I've never felt that with a cell phone.  While mine is on almost all the time, I tend to feel free NOT to answer it if I don't feel like talking to someone.  Heck, I've left it in my car all night and not realized it until later.  I suppose it's different if you have a job where you're "on call," but I've been lucky enough to be able to ignore work related stuff that comes to my phone until, you know, work time.

Having an MP3 player means I don't need to listen to someone's damn baby crying or some stupid couple arguing or some drunk laughing his stupid ass off at the restaurant; it also means I get to listen to whatever music I want, instead of having to listen to the crap they have on the PA.

Having an MP3 player also means I get to listen to music that provides an additional motivating force when I actually work out, study, or some other such focused activity; it also means I have something relaxing to listen to whenever I just want to chill.

As for having a cellphone, it means I'm more easily able to coordinate schedules with other people; it's practically impossible to carry out a social life without a cellphone in today's world; everyone's all on separate schedules, always stuck with some sort of obligation.

Cellphones, are of course, always useful in an emergency.

It's just a whole lot of convenience that I wish I had back in the day; I actually picked up on these devices later than most people do, so it's not something I take for granted.

So, excuse me if I take a lot of your comments offensively.

...

Of course, most of the people I talk to have the sense not to disturb me when I want to be left alone, so that probably explains why I'm not as irritated about the abundance of communication as most of you are.

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In Europe, its cheaper to text than to call.
And its impersonal, which is a plus for me.

Final Fantasy VIII, right? Goddammit . . .

sometimes when people are talking on their bluetooth, i like to pretend im schizophrenic too...

I need to hear the real noises that are being made in an environment. I would feel threatened or defenseless if I were to use headphones in a public place. This is still a world of predators and prey, despite the fact we have curtailed the domains of wild animals.

   I have heard people making similar comments about the necessity of cellphones. They make the past sound so horrible. "I used to have to go home to call my friends and I wouldn't know what was going on until I got home." Oh, you poor souls.

And man, do they get into it. I see elaborate hand waving, head nodding, and enough eye-popping spasms to satisfy any fan of Total Recall.

IF people are rioting, and I really ought to get out of there, my headphones aren't going to be able to block out the noise. Otherwise, if someone were stalking me, well...I wouldn't feel comfortable using headphones in public places either, except I'm well aware of my surroundings.

When people these days expect you to be telepathic whether you have a cellphone or not, well...one option allows me to find out what's going on, and the other option means I can't find out what's going on unless I find a pay phone. Having a cellphone means I never get asked the question, "WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?!"

Nicely done!

( ;