Throughout history technology has caused massive changes in the way society interacts. Some of these were subtle, others more drastic. The earliest changes may have been as simple as improved transportation methods allowing cultures and languages to interbreed. The steam engine and how it was applied to ships and trains is an excellent example of this. In our modern era we seem to be bombarded with new technologies on a regular basis, and our society seems to change just as quickly in response.
According to the recent voter polling statistics someone age 28 is still considered a younger generation member. This generation can still remember quite vividly the time when there was no internet. When Pagers became commonly available, and then cell phones took over the world. When we look at how these technologies affect our every day lives, it is amazing to think of how we possibly could have survived without them just a few short years ago. Anyone who checks their email in the morning prior to drinking coffee or brushing their teeth, is a testament to this. The profound implications of these actions can be seen throughout societies now all over the world. It seems that some of the fundamental aspects in the way we communicate are changing. No longer do we need to know friends or families schedules, because they can be reached anywhere anytime via cell phone. The amount of phone numbers we remember in our head, has also been reduced because the cell phone will remember for you.
Cell phones are the ultimate example of technologies impact on society. The cell phone went from being waved around in rap videos in the early nineties as a symbol of wealth and fashion, to a personal accessory now available individually to each member of families living below the poverty line. And not only in developed countries. When you see an 8 year old girl in Costa Rica toting a cell phone “so I can talk to my friends”, you know something is amiss. Especially when her home still has dirt floors and only recently upgraded the palm thatch roof to tin. What is so necessary about a personal cell phone to an 8 year old? There have always been symbols of wealth and social stature that trickle down through the classes as these objects become more available. Fabrics in past centuries, cars and televisions last century, and now cell phones. They aren’t just for rappers any more.
Cell phones are so new in our societies that the medical field still cannot say for certainty what effects they may have one the human body. A thorough study needs 10 - 15 years to complete, and that is more time that cell phones have been readily available to the public. In the mean time many “smaller” studies have been done. These studies have shown that cell phones are good, and bad. It just depends on the study. Currently the world is waiting for a ten year study to be completed soon which is being funded by a number of different groups in an effort to produce a non biased result. In the mean time Canada, England, Germany, Israel, Russia and other countries of note have issued warnings that cell phones should be limited in use by adolescents, and severely limited in use by children under age ten. The implications of all these signals bouncing around in the air is yet to be seen.
What can readily be seen now is how we interact differently than before because of the cell phone. To make this point a very simple example will be used: Two people carrying on a conversation are suddenly interrupted when the cell phone of one begins to ring. Without a second thought the conversation stops and the cell phone is answered by person A, thereby starting a second conversation. Person B is now conversation-less, but does not mind. Instead person B pulls out their phone and checks for messages. Once the conversation between person A and the caller finish, the original conversation can resume. The time this takes to happen is undefined.
Now lets play this scenario again, but instead of a cell phone caller, we interrupt the original conversation with an actual person who simply demands person A’s attention, while ignoring person B. Add a little bit of alcohol to the players, and it is easy to see how an argument or even a fight might in sue! This type of blatant interruption is considered rude on all counts. Yet it happens all the time now with cell phones. The cell phone has become such a important piece of equipment that people say they feel “naked” with out it. When it rings, there is no thought that it should be answered later, or consideration given to the people physically with you. It is simply a knee jerk reaction to answer, no matter what else is going on. This is now socially acceptable......
This addiction has already been identified as physically dangerous. Several U.S. states have outlawed talking on phones without a headset while driving. There probably is no one that has not seen or heard of an accident being caused by talking on a cell phone. The pinnacle example of this is a train conductor in L.A. who failed to do his job properly because he was texting, and caused a massive loss of life in the resulting accident. The changes that occur in a person when using a cell phone are readily observed. There is a tunnel vision effect that seems to take over, especially when texting. It seems certain external inputs to the brain get shut off, and all focus narrows down to the maximum 2D area of about 2”x4”. This brings to mind images from a zombie movie. Walking and chewing gum are easy. Walking and texting, thats tough. There are benefits to this form of social acceptance of the cell phone though.
There are applications that can be installed on your phone which allow you to call yourself. You can make the caller show up on your screen as anyone. My brother has Barack Obama, and Heidi Klum calling him all the time now. I needed this application desperately recently. While eating lunch at a restaurant bar, the guy next to me started to tell me about his life. It wasn’t a bad life, its just that his jokes would finish with a outburst that was half laugh and half spit. I was thoroughly disgusted by this man. I could not bring myself to be rude and ask him to refrain from speaking, but a fake phone call would have effectively removed me from the situation without a confrontation. The applications costs $0.99, I would have paid anything at that moment to have had it. “Sorry I have to go, Heidi Klum’s calling me.”
As a society we love our toys and strive to stay up to date with the newest ones. Anyone who attempted to enter a MAC store in the weeks following the release of the new 3G iphone this summer saw how serious a matter this is. Security guards were at stores keeping the peace, and restricting access. Supply was unable to meet the demand, and major newspapers covered the story on the front page. This phone has created a cult following unlike anything before it. Most of these people are technically savvy, so it only goes with reason to say that they have had several cell phones prior to the iphone. Probably more. So what happens to all the old phones?
In the U.S. we produce over 2.6 million tons of electronic waste a year. only about 12% of this waste got recycled in 2005. With over 400,000 cell phones being thrown out every day in the U.S. it is easy to see some of the environmental issues at stake. These electronics contain batteries, heavy metals, brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), just to mention a few of the hazards that are readily absorbed into our environment. If you don’t know what all these items and chemicals do when exposed to the environment, a quick crash course describes them simply with words like toxic and carcinogen. Obviously the cell phone culture has a heavy environmental impact. This culture is growing. The 8 year old girl in Costa Rica is a testament to that. A good visual that is honestly mind blowing was produced by artist
Chris Jordan. If you haven’t seen his work, you need to. It takes this article and pushes it into your mind with images that words cannot do justice. Consumerism, recycling, waste, and personal responsibility are words that will come to mind though.
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