Technology won't mask primitive behavior
The lack of public education surrounding cell-phone courtesy is fostering widespread cell-phone abuse. Ignored, swept under the rug or flat-out denied, the problem runs rampant.
Consequently, an incredibly useful technology remains in the hands of users who never grow up emotionally.
Consider these examples:
1. A young man pedals a bicycle into a four-way-stop intersection, with no helmet, one hand on wobbling handlebars, the other holding a cell phone to his ear, causing him almost to lose control in a split-second of negotiating traffic.
2. A woman orders a sandwich, rudely taking a cell-phone call in mid-order, putting the order taker on hold, stopping the train of thought required to get the order right, and holding up a line of other customers.
3. A couple walks hand-in-hand across a busy parking lot, each talking to somebody else on separate cell phones, totally oblivious to one another, their own safety or anybody else's.
In this way, material things and mechanical marvels serve only the bad habits of people never educated in shared values of their effective use to begin with. Pretty buildings, the latest technology and new products do questionable good if socially retarded consumers are the ones using them.
Robert Kernodle
Greensboro
Comments (5)
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I wrote about this very subject in my first book, "Carrot On A Stick" published in 2000: "No amount of technology can overcome stupidity."
Posted on November 1, 2007 6:54 AM
IMHO, the habit described in this letter is not so much stupidity as it is the height of rudeness. When talking on the cell is more important than safety or talking with the person/people you are with, you are being blatantly disrespectful to everyone. Respect is one of our core values that is quickly falling to the wayside.
Posted on November 1, 2007 7:12 AM
For all intents and purposes, a hammer is technology. However, attempting to use a hammer to fasten screws is the same mentality as folks who ignore their surroundings to talk on their wireless phones.
The folks who innovate and invent new technologies are the brilliant ones. Those who use the wrong technology or use a technology at an inopportune time will always be labeled as inept. I guess we can't all be Nikola Tesla.
Posted on November 1, 2007 8:29 AM
There is a way to deal with example 2 that I've seen first hand.
Recently, in a fastfood type restaurant, someone answered their phone just as they were the person whose turn it was to order.
The cashier simply looked past them and said "I can take the next customer who is ready to order!"
Posted on November 1, 2007 9:23 AM
Is it not great! Cell phone use is so simple, today, that even the ignorant and stupid can use them.
On tuesday, while driving on I-40 going to Durham for a medical appointment at the VA, I pulled way off the highway on the shoulder to answer my cell. A highway patrol office came up behind me to make sure I was okay. I told him that I had to stop to answer the cell. He waited a moment, I finish talking very quickly to my wife. He asked if I always stopped when I received a call. I told him I did and will not answer until I'm completely stopped and my transmission is in park. He told me if everyone did what I did, the accident rate on the interstate would possibily drop over 75%. Thank about how much damage, injury and death that would amount to. And, if it takes a while to safely get off the road, most cell phones store the last number that called. You can then return it! The Dog's outa here.
Crime Dog
Posted on November 1, 2007 10:53 AM