Cell Phones.
Studying the effects of the internet upon sociology and psychology has been an interest of mine since I “plugged in,” but that’s another post, though somehow related. There’s also that new “infomania” thing. But this post is about cell phones.
I generally despise cell phones and the reality of being reached anywhere within reception 24/7. I do enjoy the privacy they afford me, what with not having to share a message receival machine with several people. And for the purpose of not offending all of you, I enjoy talking to my friends.
I had a discussion with someone about my avoidance of phone calls.
Me: “Let them leave a message.”
Them: “You should answer the phone.”
Me: “Why? The fact that they are calling me doesn’t oblige me to stop what I’m doing and answer the phone. And I don’t want to talk to/hang out with/do something for them at the moment anyway.”
Them: “Then you should tell them that.”
I have a feeling this didn’t happen with landlines. People called and left messages, or you answered the phone if you wanted. It seems to me that the fact that we can now be reached anywhere at any time necessitates that we respond anywhere at any time.
And that’s just teh dumb.
August 3rd, 2006 at 9:34 pm
That’s right. We are not Pavlov’s dog. It’s that simple. If no one picks up the line, leave a message. Very little of what we think is “real important” rarely is _that_ important.
Not everyone is an “A” type.
Thankfully.
August 4th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
There was a time when people couldn’t leave messages, if I remember correctly. I remember that my family didn’t have an answering machine [or 'answer-phone', or whatever] for a while. Now, voicemail is included free with everything, and we should really learn how to use it properly.
Also, we should learn to stop doorspamming.
August 7th, 2006 at 2:53 pm
Gregory: “Very little of what we think is ‘real important’ rarely is _that_ important.” — Amen!
Hunter: I vaguely recall that time. Heh. I’m not sure I was of the age to be receiving phone calls, though. Wow, I wonder how my parents ever actually got in touch with anybody…