Cell Phone Behavior: Disruption, Arrogance, And Insecurity

On any given day, I can walk around and am guaranteed to see several people sitting, walking or driving, while holding a petite and often colorful device to their ear. Of course I am referring to the modern cellular phone. There are mixed feelings about the invention of this portable communication device. Some say cell phones are a hazard when motorists or pedestrians are busy talking and pay no attention to the road or other obstacles; and hearing the rings and musical tones go off all day is a nuisance that drive them crazy. Others say that cellular phones keep them in touch with everyone no matter where they go; they feel safe and connected. I say cellular phones improve the quality of life by allowing users to contact anyone, anytime, anywhere, especially in emergencies. I believe that it is the misuse and abuse of cellular phones that throws a shadow on their improvement of life.

“It grows increasingly hard to find peace and quiet on a train or a street corner or even in a restaurant because of the number of indispensable people who must carry on loud conversations on cellular phones.” (Carter 158) You can always count on a cell phone ringing and being

Cellular phones are a great invention but, like all innovations, they can be misused. It has become an important part of our daily lives, and has changed our common space. Things like the Internet, personal computers, and even television seem less intrusive than the handheld technology that goes everywhere. Even though I own a cell phone, I find them and some of their owners disruptive and do believe that they lead to dysfunction in life. While I do not think the negative effects of cell phones compare to some of the worst sides of the American society, I do believe that an addictive dependency on being constantly in touch is not healthy. Whenever people, myself included, forget their phones at home, they feel uncomfortable or unable to function. Back to the concept of dysfunction, we now cannot function without them. If that is not dysfunction, then what is? We have a practical tool at our disposal that, when used properly, should enable us rather than disable us.

People also use cell phones in a passive aggressive way to express anger and frustration with their surroundings, which often reveals insecurity or an inability to deal with a situation. For example, a few weeks ago I was standing at the deli in Wal-Mart, and as I was about to order, a man rushed up behind me and came in a little too close as if he was letting me know he was in a hurry, more important than me, and deserved to go first. So I ordered a half- pound of turkey and a half- pound of cheese. He then said to the man behind the counter, “While

Some topics in this essay:
Arrogance Insecurity, cell phone, cell phones, cellular phones, half- pound, daily lives,