Have mobile phones set us free, or set us in chains?

1. 58

   dadibobsposted 12 years ago

   Have mobile phones set us free, or set us in chains?
   
   I remember the freedom of being out of the house, with no form of contact available and feeling liberated, but on the other hand I have used a mobile in an emergency. what do you think?

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2. 77

   Beata Stasakposted 12 years ago

   It is just another tool of communication...it is up to us how we use it or misuse it:)

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3. 58

   dadibobsposted 12 years ago

   I would tend to agree with you. I find a mobile phone is useful if i need to use it, but sometimes i feel like it should only be used for outgoing calls. Maybe that is a reflection of  my life rather than the phone itself.
   thanks for responding.

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4. 0

   Old Empresarioposted 12 years ago

   I'm with you, dadibobs. It is now taken for granted that everyone will always be accessible, as if they were Henry Kissinger and needed to be reached for the launch codes. That's consumerism for us. A lot of middle class in the US are in debt, max out their accounts, and are working multiple jobs just to keep up with bills and purchases of certain items that did not exist 20 years ago. I don't think cell phones, home internet, movie streaming, dish tv, ipads, electronic readers, satellite radio, home theatres, expensive cars with GPS navigation, etc, should have ever been intended for anyone but the wealthy. But thanks to successful marketing campaigns, the middle class has become the gadget culture; obsessed and fascinated with new technologies that become obsolete (or broken) after a year. Meanwhile, these people are increasingly missing out on anything that brings richness into their lives.

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5. 61

   MickSposted 12 years ago

   Degas was at a friend's house for diner.  The friend had recently had one of these  new fangled telephones fitted and had arranged for another friend to ring him whilst the artist was there.  The phone duly rang and Dega's friend rushed to answer it, when finished, he appologised to Degas to which Degas replied,
   'it rang, you ran.'
   Does that answer the question?  I have a mobile phone it is never switched on unless I need to use it if the car, say, breaks down, or some other emergency, I never turn it on so others can contact me.

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6. 72

   Rehana Stormmeposted 12 years ago

   Maybe we would have more peace of mind without mobile phones? I'm always on my phone, usually tweeting or surfing and I use most of my spare time (while traveling or waiting for someone) on my phone. At the end of the day, I realize I haven't had any 'me-time' or any time by myself. This happens to so many people and they realize that in the long term, they have lost touch with their true selves and one of the contributions is their mobile phones, along with the complimentary TV watching and mindless eating.
   
   But at the same time, I can't count how many times my mobile phone has eased my life. Cellphones have helped us to keep in touch with our friends and family, where as in the past we used to use messengers or letters by post. (It's ironic though, that even with easier technological access to our family and relatives, families are only breaking apart and familial ties are getting more and more strained, but I digress).
   
   At the end of the day, just as Beata Stasak said, the mobile phone is just another tool - it's up to us how we use it....Just like a knife - it can be used for good, e.g. chopping veggies to make a family meal - or it can be used for evil, e.g. murder.
   
   Most people these days, however, like to complain about how technology has complicated life. I'll get back to tweeting now lol

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7. 61

   DanielNeffposted 12 years ago

   I think the degree to which it sets us in chains depends on us.
   You don't have to answer the phone when it rings. You can let the person leave a voice mail, and check it at your leisure.
   Of course, as long as you aren't going to be out too long and you don't have an invalid dependent upon you or have a job where it is vital you can be reached...you can "forget" your cell phone when you leave the house.

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8. 68

   MazioCreateposted 12 years ago

   Great question and for me it is both. When you have a work mobile phone then you contactable 24/7. My manager wanted me to go down this road, but I pointed out he already had my number on speed dial so what was the point.  I have to say the number of times I was phoned or received text messages on my days off was astounding.  On the other hand though, being able to contact my partner when out riding and give an ETA for the coffee shop makes it all worth while. I also love the ease you can contact family and friends for a quick hello or to arrange a get together, no matter where you are. Love it and hate it at the same time, but don't go anywhere without it.

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9. 66

   xethonxqposted 12 years ago

   For me, mobile phones are a convenience when I'm in work mode, but when I'm in home mode I'd just rather leave them turned off. It's annoying when all I want to do is spend time with my family and rejuvenate for a little bit and the darn thing begins buzzing. I'm working on trying to get into the habit of automatically turning it off when I get home.

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10. 93

    rajan jollyposted 12 years ago

    It's a combination of both. We are free because we can choose not to answer a call and go do what we are doing. Put it on silent when we don't want to be disturbed. In times of need we have it right where we need it .. with us.
    In chains, because we are so used to it in present times that we sometimes are multitasking on a cell phone esp on a smart phone and have to keep it with us all the time.

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