Kids (9, 10 years old) have cellphones here, too. I’m not sure how I feel about that. As a parent I can see where it’d be good to be able to get in touch with your kid regardless of where they are, but on the other hand – well, shouldn’t you know where they are anyway, cellphone or not?

Tom: I don’t hate cellphones, I hate how they’re everywhere, all the time.

I think it’s inevitable that having computers, phones, etc. leads to us not learning some skills that people before us took for granted. That’s nothing specific to cellphones or computers, though; any new technology will lead to the atrophying of some skills. The Native Americans largely lost the art of bowmaking in the span of (I believe) a couple of generations after the introduction of firearms via Europeans.

Joshua: I had no idea who Lobot was. I recognized him after a quick Google search, but I certainly didn’t know hiw name. Hopefully we’ll never reach his level! Too weird.

Nils: I agree, it’s not something many people think about anymore. The phones are there, everyone uses them, and it’s seen as normal to do so. I suppose you’re right; I may have been a bit harsh. Certainly, they can complement other forms of communication. My gripe, though, is just what you said: people don’t really think about it anymore, they’re on autopilot to grab their phone whenever it rings, regardless of what they’re doing. Some of that comes from the very nature of cellphones; most people grow up “knowing” that when the phone rings, generally, you answer it, then and there.

Unfortunately, since cellphones are with their owners practically around the clock, there’s never any respite. Regardless of where folks are, they’ve got their cellphones, and many people are still running on their long-learned habits: the phone rings and you answer it.

I can see the relationship between cellphones and IM, but I’m not sure IMing is quite as bad. If I leave an IM app running on my computer, and I have a friend over and we’re talking, if someone pings me on the IM, I don’t say, “Hey, can you hang on a few minutes, I have to take this IM.” I get that quite often with folks and their cellphones. Drives me bonkers.

Currently, though, I’d just be happy if my fellow classmates would turn the things off during class. I’ve considered buying some foam bricks to hurl at people when their phones go off for the 2nd or 3rd time in a 50 minute time period.

I think the point is, however, that these days, using technology for nearly everything has become second nature to us. We don’t think: “who should use this, what are the benefits, can I do this” like we did when we first bought some new-fangled gadget.

Now, the thing’s there and it’s how things are done. They don’t necessarily replace other ways of communication, but complement them (I’m fairly sure a lot of people with mobile phones do still talk to others face to face). Not using a mobile, then, would be like not sending an IM to someone just because you knew you could as easily walk over to their desk. We’re just using what’s available to its fullest potential.

As for setting the things to vibrate, or even switching them off at times, I agree. You just know there are certain situations, like class, where taking a call mid-lecture is something you just don’t do.

I sometimes daydream of a world without cell phones. I grew up in a computer-filled world and I sometimes think that it may have robbed me of learning some skills and abilities (discipline to remember spelling for example). I often think then how the cellphone-filled world will rear the next generation, what will they perhaps be missing if everything can be done by phone.

Anyway, a good read. Ditto on the cellphones in lecture, very rude and annoying.

In Norway even kids (9 – 10 and up) have cellphones, so I’m trying to get used to it, even if I’m one of those that misplace mine all the time. I really don’t want to be available all the time.