In today's society cell phones are everywhere. A majority of this generation has a cell phone, and the role that cell phone plays in each person's life is usually a significant one. The cool thing about cell phones is that you can be in 4 places at once, having 4 separate conversations with 4 totally different people. (I picked 4 at random) Cell phones have evolved over the years so that they can be very personalized, and it is for that reason that a cell phone can be viewed as an extension of oneself.
Have you ever wondered why your parents get so upset with you when you bring your cell phone to the dinner table? Its because the way they view cell phones is so different than the way our generation does. To our parents, cell phones are an accessory, something that is not needed, but for a lot of us, we feel like a part of us is missing when we are not with our cell phones. We grew up in a technological age, and its for that reason we often times identify ourselves with our cell phones. We see our cell phones, as an extension of ourselves, without our phones we are incomplete, but doesn't that sound a bit funny?
In class we discuss the different part of our selves, the soul, spirit, heart, and the mind. The question I want to ask is, What part of ourselves do we put in our cell phones? Our cell phones are just tools, but for so many of us, a day without our cell phones causes much more stress than it should.
Justin,
ReplyDeleteGood observation of our cultural obsession with our cell phones. I see this obsession as a product of an innate desire to know and connect with the world around us. Cell phones and technology are great and add a lot of value to our lives but technology has also given us the illusion that we can always be "in the know" with those we are closest to and that we no longer have to miss any significant or insignificant happening in their lives. I see this compulsion as an unhealthy addiction to connect.
Phillip
Good topic and good question. As a card carrying "Older Guy", I have wondered about some of this with younger people. Honestly, I try not to judge- if I were younger, cell phones would probably be a big thing to me too. I tend to agree with Phillip- I think it is an attempt to have that "connection" with all those other people. Possibly it's a matter of "if I'm staying in contact with all those other people, I must therefore be important." If this is the case, then it is a bit sad to think that people would measure their value as a person by getting a text about what thier friend ate for breakfast.
ReplyDeleteI think you provide a pretty accurate assessment of our generation's obsession with a constant flow of communication and information. I've noticed my own tendencies to be constantly in communication with several people at once and have since tried to tone it down. It always strikes me as so ironic to see my own family members gathered together for a meal or just to be together and enjoy each other's company while everyone is simultaneously carrying on other conversations through text messages. How much connecting can we actually do in person if we're really caught up in our technology? Better yet, how well are we actually connecting with others through constant text messages?
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