S
Sarabande
Guest
I think if it works for you, continue using it. People work differently and I would never tell others not to use them, nor do I look down on others who use them often. I’m not against technology and think things like cell phones and i-phones can be very useful and helpful for certain situations, but I personally don’t like to depend on them entirely. That’s just me. I also found that I was starting to depend on things like that more instead of my memory, which has always been very good. It bothered and concerned me that I was allowing my brain to be lazy. For example, my memory for phone numbers used to be so much better, but because I had the numbers on my cell phone so readily available, I didn’t make an effort to memorize them as quickly. I’ve made the mistake of either forgetting, losing or having a dead phone and not being able to remember numbers, where only a few years ago when I didn’t own a cell phone, I had many of those numbers in my head. So, I’ve made an effort to rarely use the phone book on my cell phone. I’ve never lost my phone book… yet
(knock on wood) so that has not been an issue for me at present. (I’ll probably lose it tomorrow. lol!)Since I travel a lot as a freelance musician in many different kinds of areas and states, I’ve made the mistake enough times to realize that you cannot depend on a GPS (whether on your phone, in your car or a device like Garmin or TomTom). So, when I travel, I always print out a map and look at it to memorize the directions so that I don’t have to continually look at the map or actually listen to the GPS. I only go to them in case I do have a laps in memory, if I get lost or if there is a traffic jam and need another way to get around it. (The GPS is so awesome for that!!!)
Yes, I had mentioned that in my other post. There used to be many public phones, but the phone companies have removed the majority of them where I live, so you are pretty much forced to use a cell phone. It is more convenient to use the cell phone, but it doesn’t help much if you forget/lose/have a dead phone. I understand the phone companies’ reasons for taking them down due to the costs, though.
I really hope you didn’t feel like you had to defend your reasons for having a cell phone. I am sure you are using them in a healthy way as I have no reason to assume otherwise. I was just posting my opinions on them for me and what I’ve seen of others. And of course, if phones aren’t available, especially in the dorms, it makes sense to let your kids have cell phones.
Again, I think they can be great and very helpful. I don’t think they are evil or horrible, but I can see how for some people it can become something negative, especially for younger people who may not be aware of it. This is not always the case, but I’ve seen young people become totally disconnected in terms of being around people, because they are constantly on their i-phones. And when someone says something to them, it’s like they don’t even hear that person. I’ve seen my young cousins on their phones while visiting our very ill grandmother and not having the ability to put that phone down to talk to their grandmother. Of course, the parents should be saying something to them… perhaps they are, but that moment to spend with someone who may not be here the next year is lost. And even if the person they are visiting isn’t very ill, it just seems rude to be on the phone constantly while on the visit. It’s a bit disconcerting when I’m with someone, visiting them and they are constantly checking their messages or answering their phones.
On Christmas Eve where I was one of the hired musicians, the younger musicians, when they weren’t playing their instruments or singing, were in corners of the choir loft or just in their chairs, on their iphones, watching tv programs that they missed, on Facebook, or messaging during the homily. The music director couldn’t see them because the organ was in the way and they knew it. One of them said they just couldn’t keep away from it and it was no way they’d miss that show. Firstly, it was very disrespectful for mass and I don’t care if you’ve already done three masses. And secondly, it was just unprofessional.
I also don’t like the idea that one’s employer or client can call you any time and expect you to answer them even if you may not be working. People can’t have a private life.
I just personally believe that for certain people it can become too much of an appendage… either chosen or forced upon them. With all new technology there are pros and cons. Some people can use new technology in a “healthy” way and others can’t. Does it mean should people stop using technology? No, definitely not, but I think it is good to recognize how new technology can be misused and to be aware when it could be affecting how we live in a negative way so that we don’t let it happen to us and others around us.
But my phone is always on vibrate…
:slapfight: