http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005 by the authors Wed, 27 Oct 2004 11:20:03 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/10/24/182137.php#comment-93701 Laura, you are on to something. There is some weird psychological stuff that goes on with cell phones. At first they were symbols of affluence. More than a decade ago I worked at a law firm where one of the senior partners would take this monster of a cell phone every where with him. The catch was he did not know how to use it. Now, I think they have become symbols or being involved or popular. But, when observing people, I sometimes get the feeling that just the opposite is true. The person nattering away on the bus or train seems too talkative for there to be someone on the other end. Those snippet calls you mentioned. I suspect the caller knows that she is intruding and makes it fast before she is told to bug off. Then there is the nature of so much cell phone conversation -- vacuous. I have not checked on research on the psychology of cell phone use, but am curious about it. I have a suspicion that it is different than use of regular phones in a lot of ways. 93701@blogcritics.org Wed, 27 Oct 2004 11:20:03 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/10/24/182137.php#comment-93645 Jackie - I'm very sorry - what a terrible tragedy. I agree about driving and talking on the cell phone. I can see why it would be useful at times - asking for directions, etc., but people who just chat for the sake of chatting are risking not only their own lives but those of everyone else on the road. I expect to see a lot of new legislation in the next few years. Cell phones are a big part of life, like it or not, and now they need to be regulated. 93645@blogcritics.org Wed, 27 Oct 2004 08:59:04 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/10/24/182137.php#comment-93437 I will be going out today to purchase your book. On Nov. 10, 2003, my 21 year old son C.J. was killed in a traffic accident caused by a driver being destracted by his cell phone. He did not notice that rush hour traffic and come to a stop in front of him. My son died at the scene. I am now advocating a cell phone ban while driving in the state of Arizona. It is my goal to educate drivers of the dangers while honoring my sons memory. I believe your book may do the same. 93437@blogcritics.org Tue, 26 Oct 2004 14:01:04 EDT