Cell phones suck

In the article Public Display of Disaffection written by Anne Kingston with Alex Ballingall, there are three main points to be observed. all three of which pertain to technology and its misuses. First point of mention would be the physical attachment people carry with them that is their cellphone, ignoring actual interaction. Many find it rude to 'conduct a real time conversation while texting someone'. Or to send a thank you note via email, instead of personally. Of course the younger you are the more tolerant you are to things such as this, going as far as 'people under age 25 didn't see anything wrong with texting during sex.' This shows an obvious deterioration in real interaction between people. Secondly, cell phones can be a disruption in public facilities as well. Restaurants find the devices a nuisance as they 'routinely ask people to take loud cell conversations outside.' As well as people being able to carry out intimate conversations loudly easier while on a cell phone than not. They can be a public disturbance in a dangerous nature too, as one woman "[was so] preoccupied with her cell [that] she didn't even notice the sirens flagging her down". Over 6000 deaths and half a million injuries are caused by distracted drivers, which further supports the idea that cell phone users are further disturbing those around them in both an impolite and dangerous way. Finally the  article covers the etiquette of when its deemed proper to pull out by its users. Pamela Eyring has a more extreme view on it, seeing it as that 'the guest of honor has a responsibility to be present in the moment,' making texting or being on your phone at all inexcusable. Further going into detail, it also explains how electronic gadgetry 'connects far-flung virtual communities and irritates the person standing next to you.' But as the University of New York's study believes, there are no accepted standards as 'social networking obliterates etiquette: thumbs drum in rise of multitasking rudeness.'

My personal point of view on all of it is split however. I do believe that cell phones have certainly reduced one-on-one interaction between people, as it is blatantly obvious how there are many kids who find it much easier to carry out a conversation online rather than in person. Also a quote about 'a date [leaving] early because the other person was 'constantly glancing' at their cell' rings especially true, as you look at any group of young people now you will find them doing exactly that. I can also agree with cell phones being a public disturbance to a certain extent, but I feel it varies greatly on the person. I don't see a problem with cell phones being used in a restaurant, although there's an obvious issue if a conversation is being carried out loudly (which I have witnessed before, and it was indeed a disturbance). I also see the problem with distracted drivers, which fittingly in B.C there are now laws in place to prevent that. My belief is that during a public speech, the guest of honor should be present in the moment too, but I don't see what's wrong with using their phone during intervals or appropriate times. I find the use of cell phones very situational in its etiquette, and that some carry out perhaps too serious of a crusade out on it.

There are many instances in which cell phones are acceptable. I don't believe that using one in a restaurant is nearly as bad as it is made out to be seen. You are simply there to be served food, and whether or not you're using a cell phone is none of their concern. I do believe in interaction between server and customer coming first though. For any public speaking occasion I find it unacceptable however. The attention should solely stay on the speaker, as you are there to listen to what they are trying to convey. I don't believe anybody would want to have their audience busy in their own matters whilst the attention is needed. Cell phones are also incredibly use in times of an emergency, and things like cell phones jammers just seems a bit too risky and extreme for the damage it could cause versus its benefits. We have moved towards a society where cell phones dominate our lives in many ways, some still need to get used to this. Others have to tone down their use of technology as it unsettles others. A certain balance has to be found.