Used to be, next best thing to being there. Maybe these days, replacing being there?
The telephone is what I avoid the most when I kick off my shoes after coming home. For me, it represents one of the channels of communication that seems to be a constant in life these days- alongside email, internet. Necessary, useful, powerful yet intrusive.
Perhaps my attitude is a result of the fact that I am a professional in Information Technology; essentially always 'on call.'
Sadly, these channels have replaced human interaction; many hide behind these modes of communication.
One of the geatest inventions, the telephone; yet I ask myself these days whether Alexander Graham Bell is frowning upon us from yonder, when he sees people dining together talking on their respective cell phones (it is impossible to write about telephone and not mention cell phone). Ironic that the device which brought people together, now also renders them apart? Cell phones have become another appendage; perhaps a third ear, a second mouth, a third hand...
I heard a ways back that certain restaurants in California had smoking -cell phone, smoking- non-cell phone, non-smoking cell phone and non-smoking non-cell phone seating areas. Obviously this was back in the days before the complete ban on indoor smoking. Can cell phones be lumped into same category as cigarettes; an addiction? A form of escapism and entertainment while driving, standing in line, in waiting rooms? Tool to take people away from the present moment/company?
Global phenomenon. Actually, cell phone use is more widespread in other parts of the world where land lines are too expensive and not feasible. In India (was just there January), I stayed at a yoga university near Bangalore and I was astonished to find that the students were answering their cell phones in class- even when we were practicing asanas. And the students were Indian; very few 'foreigners' attended this university/ashram.
Don't get me wrong, cell phones have their importance. For car emergencies for example. Business.
Telephone features. Lots of features offered in bundled packages. The one Big Bugaboo for me is Call Waiting. It is a symptom of humankind's current state of need for instant gratification, of ADD. I reflect on my childhood; when we called someone and the line went beep-beep-beep it meant that person was on the phone. If it went ring -ring-ring and no answer, it meant that the other person was away from home or engaged in something or simply did not want to answer. Either way, they weren't available.
When I am in the throes of a conversation with someone who then puts me 'on HOLD' to take another personal call, my instinct is to end the call. I feel as though it has taken away from what we are presently engaged in, the flow has been disturbed.
As harsh as my stance is about generic personal use, there are a few merits to having call waiting: perhaps for private business owners or for emergency purposes.
I must sign off now, as the phone is ringing. Actually, need to head to work, where I have made it a personal practice to get out of my chair and go to speak to someone personally. At least four times per day. Love the human interaction.
