Technologically Irresponsible

Cell phones. Aren't they convenient?

You can make or take a call anywhere at anytime as long as you're within your network's covered area and within the confines of the law. Let's face it, though - there are very few places that strictly ban the use of cell phones.

The fact of the matter is that we, as a society, use "advancing technology" as an excuse to do what we want whenever we want, with total disregard for the people around us.

Before cell phones, we could not and would not talk on the phone while driving, nor did we miss the ability to do so. Now we feel naked if we leave the house without our cells; we are disconnected. Forget the increased number of auto accidents caused by people who drive while talking.

Before cell phones, we could not and would not walk down the street while talking on the phone. It wasn't possible, therefore, we did not do it and (again) we didn't miss it. Now, when we walk down the street, while talking on our phones, we bump into people and remain completely oblivious to the fact that we have done so. Who cares, right?

Before cell phones, we could not and would not have private conversations in very public places. We could not and would not inconvenience the general public by planting ourselves in doorways, on curbs, on stairs, on curbs, and in crowds while laughing, yelling, crying, insulting, joking or doing whatever else we do while on the phone.

Case in point: A good friend of mine was recently injured, very badly, when she tripped and fell down a very long flight of stairs while trying to get to the high speed line train in center city Philadelphia. What did she trip over, you wonder? Why, you guessed it- a man on his cell phone, conveniently perched near the top of the stairs, leaning against the wall - out of sight until much too late to do anything about it.

She's home now, after being in the hospital for four days. After a very long surgery, she walked out of the hospital with 12 staples in her head along with 22 screws and a plate in her arm, which is broken in many places. I cannot even begin to imagine how many other bruises she must have! I hope that man's call was important.