Enslaved by Cell Phones

Electronics. We're all hooked on them, if I can be so bold to say. We all have our computers, our MP3 players, and yes, our cellular phones. How could someone in today's modern society exist without one of those sleek, brushed-metal talking gadgets? Well, you can be without one maybe if you're Amish, or live in cave, right?

I am just like the rest of you - hooked on consumer electronics. With just one exception: I don't carry a cell phone. Now, I can already hear some of you (if not all of you) freaking out, "What, she doesn't have a cell?" and "Where has she been hiding?"  or the demure, "Maybe she's Amish."

If you're still with me at this point in the article, read on. Where else could you read about a gal, who doesn't own a cell? So, satisfy your morbid curiosity, if nothing else.

I am as addicted to consumer technology as anyone else. I don't go anywhere without my Palm PC with a collapsible keyboard, and my iPod nano is my best friend. The only difference is - no cell phone. Okay, now I can already hear some of you say, "So, she's basically normal, then. Why the heck doesn't she have a cell phone, then?"

I guess I am one of those rare people that simply don't like cell phones. I know, they're useful, but I am hardly ever in a situation when I need to use one. A vast majority of my communication is done through email, and I always have a phone at work or at home to use if I need to speak to somebody. I much prefer email over phone - it's faster, less personal, and most importantly - it's free, if you don't count the Internet connection. Cell phones, on the other hand, cost money, and the monthly phone bill is nothing to sneeze at. Most people's phone bill is probably at least $60 or more. That's a lot of money when I can communicate faster and for free by email.

Yes, cells also come with all those fancy whistles and bells, to make you buy them. I am talking digi cams, music, and photos. Sure, those are good to have, but I can pull out my sleek digital camera or my smart iPod nano, and achieve the same thing.

Sure, it's a good thing to have a cell of you're a business woman, and you're making deals on the go. But most of the people that I know use their cells just to talk to friends or parents - in other words, they're not making multi-million dollar deals or booking their plane tickets for a business meeting. Their call isn't probably all that important, and it can wait till they get home, right? Yet I still see kids as little as 10-years-old yapping on their cells about, you guessed it, complete bull.

But what about when one travels, you could ask. Sure, if you're going alone into the heart of Africa or are on the road for days, cell phone is a must. Be safe, by all means.

But I have found out that even when I travel I don't need a cell phone. I travel often all over the USA and go to Europe at least once a year. I have found out that a simple phone card will serve just as well as a cell phone.

Either way, here are my two cents. Take it or leave it. And just for kicks, as they say on one of the popular cell phone commercials (I always laugh at this), "Go ahead! Talk it up!"

send comments to comments@shebytches.com