cell phones and society

[The Idiot]

what effect are cell phones having on society? i'm astonished at how many people i see talking on cell phones all the time. since cell phones are a relatively new innovation, and since they've become insanely popular, it follows that cell phones are changing some component of social interaction. so basically, how have cell phones changed the way we think, and have they changed how social networks (or society in general) are constructed? Now, everyone you know could be in your ear at any point during the day.

[BullpupDFWM]

Mobile phones, in a very similar way to the internet, have made people much more readily communicable. It is possible to contact virtually anyone, anywhere, anytime, which is, on the face of it, a good thing. However, I remember reading a study that suggest it was actually decreasing physical contact, which could lead to feelings of isolation, even though people are now more easy to comunicate with than ever before. It's an interesting phenomenon.

[Mishra]

i think cell phones breed laziness, especially in teenagers. instead of teenagers having to figure out what to do beforehand, they can do it on a whim, which is good and bad. it promotes bad planning, but it makes things easier.

[The Idiot]

Originally posted by BullpupDFWM
Mobile phones, in a very similar way to the internet, have made people much more readily communicable. It is possible to contact virtually anyone, anywhere, anytime, which is, on the face of it, a good thing. However, I remember reading a study that suggest it was actually decreasing physical contact, which could lead to feelings of isolation, even though people are now more easy to comunicate with than ever before. It's an interesting phenomenon.

i agree that cellies make people much eaiser to communicate with which is a good thing. but do you think that cell phones offer people the EXCUSE to talk more, which makes them more dependent on these kinds of detached social interactions with people (hense the study you allude to). I say this because it amazes me that people can be having pointless discussions at 6:00am on the bus. who can they be calling at 6? you sure better not call me at 6. and why will people have arguments on the cellie while they're shopping. i was in the store last week for an hour, and this lady was having an argument the whole time. do people seek out reasons to be on the phone? is it "cool" to have someone to talk to while you're doing something else. I've seen people hanging out and both people are on the phone.

am i a freak becasue these things bother me or have i found myself old school before i'm really old?

[BullpupDFWM]

Originally posted by The Idiot
i agree that cellies make people much eaiser to communicate with which is a good thing. but do you think that cell phones offer people the EXCUSE to talk more, which makes them more dependent on these kinds of detached social interactions with people (hense the study you allude to). I say this because it amazes me that people can be having pointless discussions at 6:00am on the bus. who can they be calling at 6? you sure better not call me at 6. and why will people have arguments on the cellie while they're shopping. i was in the store last week for an hour, and this lady was having an argument the whole time. do people seek out reasons to be on the phone?

I don't think people seek out a reason to talk on the phone, it's just tha, say I'm out at the pub, my dad comes over to my place and sees how messy it is, ten years ago he would've left me an angry note, or waited for me to get home to yell at me, whereas now, he can call me right then. It's kind of what Mishra suggested, people can do things on a whim, not just activities, but people don't have to wait till you get home, or leave notes, it's much more convenient to send off a text message or call.

is it "cool" to have someone to talk to while you're doing something else. I've seen people hanging out and both people are on the phone.

I have come accross this event a number of times in the past month, the funniest was in the city last sunday, a couple was walking along, a guy and his girlfriend, and they were holding hands... but looking opposite diections talking into their phones. I've also seen a group of six guys, five of which were on the phone. This kind of event is hard to explain..... perhaps it is cool, perhaps it's just a freak occurence that somebody happens to call them all at the same time. Maybe it's just that.... hey, they're on the phone, I may as well call my parents, let them know I'll be late....

[The Idiot]

Originally posted by BullpupDFWM
I don't think people seek out a reason to talk on the phone, it's just tha, say I'm out at the pub, my dad comes over to my place and sees how messy it is, ten years ago he would've left me an angry note, or waited for me to get home to yell at me, whereas now, he can call me right then.

right, but with caller id, you'd see it was your old man and probably wouldn't answer it. that brings up another thing. how significant has caller id been? i talk to who i want, when i want. back in the day, you took your chances.

[BullpupDFWM]

Yeh, but you can elect not to send your number, so it just comes up as 'private number'. But it was just an example, people have fights all the time, someitmes over the phone, cell phones aren't much different, they just givew more opportunity to get in contact with someone when you're pissed off.

[Tarefson]

They are an umbilical cord people are getting used to, and dependant on. The shape the society by removing the habit of pure autonomy - people easily feel a bit alone and lost without their phone now, and "need" it in many contexts where they didn't. They feel uneasy when they have to go out without. The whole taste -or normality- of being unreachable is being lost.

Umberto Eco made a good point when he noticed that portable phones are (or have been) a false symbol of high status. It's supposed to allow you to show how important you are, because you're in touch with a lot of people, and they need to be able to reach you, while in reality, you recognise important people precisely by the fact they can not be easily reached (for instance you have to pass through secretaries, or make demands). Eco sees the portable phone as a mark of slavery. I'm not far from sharing his views.

[The Idiot]

Originally posted by Tarefson
They are an umbilical cord people are getting used to, and dependant on. The shape the society by removing the habit of pure autonomy - people easily feel a bit alone and lost without their phone now, and "need" it in many contexts where they didn't. They feel uneasy when they have to go out without. The whole taste -or normality- of being unreachable is being lost.

Umberto Eco made a good point when he noticed that portable phones are (or have been) a false symbol of high status. It's supposed to allow you to show how important you are, because you're in touch with a lot of people, and they need to be able to reach you, while in reality, you recognise important people precisely by the fact they can not be easily reached (for instance you have to pass through secretaries, or make demands). Eco sees the portable phone as a mark of slavery. I'm not far from sharing his views.

i hear ya. hence, it's "cool" to be on the phone. what are the ramifications socially of the fact that people are becomming more obsessed with being able to be reached?

"the social network tightens its grasp" so to speak?

[Tarefson]

Originally posted by The Idiot
"the social network tightens its grasp" so to speak?

Exactly.

[Pete]

I think they are a useful tool for communication and use them for that purpose and i cant see a problems with them. Communication whatever the medium is a good thing in my opinion as it helps cement social groups and understanding. Heck the reason your reading this now is because you feel the desire to comunicate

[The Idiot]

Originally posted by Ringo
Heck the reason your reading this now is because you feel the desire to comunicate

you're right, but there's a reason why i have 70 odd posts over the last 2 years.


i like the internet becasue i can control when i communicate and with whom i communicate. i tell people that i don't carry my cell phone so they don't expect me to answer it at all hours of the day. some people get pissed when they call and you don't pick up. that's the trap.

[Soulfire]

I was holding a cellphone on my hand as I was reading this thread. I use cell as a mean to communicate whenever I need with my family, boss or girlfriend. It's always nice to know you can be reached (or know you can reach someone) when you are out, in case something wrong happens.

[Phalaenopsis]

What Tarefson said is pretty much my opinion. For some obscure reason, I hate the sound of a phone ring, even when it's my phone and I'm home. It's the sound of obligation, however for some it is the sound of confirmation.
It has become a new need, way more emotional then rational. If it's not a case of losing 5000$ in a question of hours, nobody needs a cellphone.

[Lirah]

I always have my cell phone turned off..The only time it is on is when *I* want to use it.

[itismenotyou]

Originally posted by Lirah
I always have my cell phone turned off..The only time it is on is when *I* want to use it.

Same here. I only use my cell phone to call home, as long distance through the campus phone system is expensive. The only other time I even have it with me is if there is the possibility of an emergency arising.

[Xenomrph]

Originally posted by Lirah
I always have my cell phone turned off..The only time it is on is when *I* want to use it.

Ditto on that.

what effect are cell phones having on society?

They're making people forget how to drive properly.

I've got a friend who gets a call on her cellphone from one of her random friends literally every few minutes. It blows my mind, and kinda annoys me. I mean, how can she (and her friends) even attempt to survive without the cellphone? Apparently, she can't.

[onion]

Originally posted by BullpupDFWM
However, I remember reading a study that suggest it was actually decreasing physical contact, which could lead to feelings of isolation, even though people are now more easy to comunicate with than ever before. It's an interesting phenomenon.

I'd agree with that actually.. I can see how that could develop. You're adjusted to voice interaction, actually seeing how somebody says something can be overly intimidating, nevermind just to hear somebody say it.
The internet is worse for that. Despite getting on really well with Dedhed on the internet, when I actually met up with him, we were both really silent at first and it felt really surreal to actually see his facial reactions and hear his voice.

[StrangeWill]

One reason why I don't have a cellphone:

I work as a part time tech/programmer at my school.....

They know my sceduele, and know when I'm outta class and just kinda not doing much (programming usually)

Well once I have a cell, I'm on call... if noones there (which noone usually is) they will try to make me fix it, when I'm quite happily programming, instead of fixing some teachers shit that downloaded a ton of useless shit....

[Soulfire]

Originally posted by Phalaenopsis
It has become a new need, way more emotional then rational. If it's not a case of losing 5000$ in a question of hours, nobody needs a cellphone.

not really, no. The problem is not the cellphones though, but the people that use them compulsively.

I think it's a good invention and it's useful for keeping touch with anyone you want, particularily family and relatives. I don't see anything wrong with them, although many people express their problems through them. Sort of like Internet; many people convert into internet addicts. The problem isn't Internet but the people that use them that actually have problems with handling it.

[The Idiot]

Originally posted by Soulfire
The problem isn't Internet but the people that use them that actually have problems with handling it.

this is the same argument as "guns don't kill people, people kill people". i think the problem is with the group of people that use them (ie: society at large). i feel that there's some kind of social pressure to: 1) have a phone, and 2) use the phone. it's getting to the point where people EXPECT to be able to contact you at any point during the day. society is pressuring us to constantly stay connected to our social network. i find that (in general), this makes us much less independent.

[Kensomniac]

I don't have a cell phone at the moment. I don't mind them too much, like anything, they're useful, but dangerous if abused. People using them while driving for example.. not the best idea.

But they're the best in emergencys.. my girlfriend was in a car accident last, and the cell phone she had on her was probably the best thing to have. I'm thankful for them.

[Phalaenopsis]

I don't think you understood what I said, Soulfire.. I didn't say it wasn't a good invention, it helped my dad that was on call at the toxicological center, it help my friend when he was in Japan and that was the only affortable telephone line or my friend that has a small company and needs to get reached for last minute contracts or crisis.
I just think that the average person doesn't need it.

That being said, what The Idiot said was pertinent. The object in itself is always neutral. But it will create new behaviors in society, create new needs and new issues, may they be car accidents due to people talking on their cellphone, people that evades constructive loneliness by talking nonstop in public places, and so on.

A new object that brings new behaviors will create new problems to discuss, and that is the present topic. That you have a cellphone doesn't make you the impersonation every problematic cellphone user. I think people should really think twice before buying one, just like every piece of luxury, but even more since it's bond to affect their communication behavior.

[The Idiot]

Originally posted by Phalaenopsis

A new object that brings new behaviors will create new problems to discuss, and that is the present topic. I think people should really think twice before buying one, just like every piece of luxury, but even more since it's bond to affect their communication behavior.

well said
we could have this same argument about other inventions, ie: computers, the sky scraper, suspension bridges, printing press. i think that these kinds of topics are fascinating because it lets me organize my own concept of history around things as opposed to events. you can track how society has changed by understanding the things that have made it change. that's cool to me.

[Phalaenopsis]

That is correct, The Idiot. In the present topic, it's all about the growing presence of the medias in our communication behavior. Phones and computer creates new means of communication, but they put something in the middle of the persons. It does bring new possibility, but also creates complications.
With those new means, the adjective that is often brought up is "easier". It is true that it simplifies how we come in communication, but I think it reduces its content.

You can only exchange as much by phone and MSN, for example, but a lot of its users will rely more and more on that mean and less to person to person. The direct effect of this is, as Tarefson said, isolation. Some deeper conversations can only occur face to face, and bonds can only go to another level or be kept at some level by it.

Not all those technology users will find themselves submitted to this symptom, but a considerable amount will. I think it is wise to ask ourselves to what extend do they affect us personally.

[Tarefson]

Originally posted by Phalaenopsis
The direct effect of this is, as Tarefson said, isolation.

Hm, no, I wasn't the one who said that. I was saying that, on the contrary, it made people more interdependant, and decreased autonomy, increased the phobia of isolation. Someone else stated that it's also keeping people at distance, which is very true too.

So it's a double movement : increasing links (and dependancy to those links) as well as maybe rendering their content more superficial. But I think the content, and what is transmitted (basically "I'm in the train, I won't be late, I'll arrive at the normal hour, there is no reason why I am calling you to tell you that, now that I think of it, okay, well, I shut up, yes, okay, then, I'll hang off now, yes, well, no, I've got nothing else to say, yes, it's expensive and I look very silly right now, so, good bye, see you later, I'll tell you if something happens, okay?") is less important than the sole fact of being in contact. A portable phone is mostly a teddy bear, or an ersatz for a hand to hold, a presence. A fetish, a voodoo doll representing one person or a network of persons, and the impression to carry them with us. It was very important for me when...

...when she was important to me.

[( . Y . )]

Originally posted by The Idiot
i talk to who i want, when i want. back in the day, you took your chances.

ha that reminds me of back when my dad said "if they hang up on the 5th ring its a telemarketer so only pick it up if it rings more than 5 times"

i personally dont like cell phones and have coped with leaving it at home most of the time because im at school and when im not at school im usually at work or on the road with friends doing stupid stuff in our vehicles.
so at, school i always leave it at home because it got me in trouble countless times because fucktard friends that skipped school or ditched wanted me to come and the ringing got me in trouble.
on the road i got my CB radio because im cool and alot of people in my town have one, so i can talk on that whenever i like, and at work im usually busy and someone calling could interupt me (and my boss doesnt like them either).

[Dempsey]

I hate mobile phones. I don't think any teenage needs one, and can find any other use for one except to annoy the classroom. I don't know why but I personally find them irritating (eg:the beeping they call ringtones), and I've never seen a teen put one to good use.

I'm sorry I don't have an answer for the thread question. I suppose the main age group that would be affected would be the teenagers, but I can't really say how.

[onion]

Originally posted by Dempsey
I hate mobile phones. I don't think any teenage needs one, and can find any other use for one except to annoy the classroom. I don't know why but I personally find them irritating (eg:the beeping they call ringtones), and I've never seen a teen put one to good use.

I consider that ignorance really. It's the easiest way to contact a friend. I don't even get my phone out in the classroom! I rarely take it to school unless I think I may need to phone home and say "hey mum don't pick me up today please, i'm gona go into town after school"
Why bother having to find a pay phone? go into your pocket.. You need to remind a friend of something? Text them and remind them coz they'll look at their messages most likely.. I can also use it as a reminder myself and i'm not even gona mention the safety or security knowing it's there coz it's obvious.
The house phone bill has been cheaper because of it as now all my family members have an individual bill along with their mobiles. My family don't have to panic coz they have immediate contact to me where ever I am. I can simply text them when i've arrived at a place or something.
Things are basically a whole lot easier. Mobile phones are time efficient. If you phone a friend to say one thing, you can stay on the phone for hours. With a mobile that can't happen via texts.

[The Idiot]

Originally posted by onion

Why bother having to find a pay phone?

Come to think of it, it seems like they've gotten rid of a lot of the payphones. i had a hell of a time trying to find one last week.