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October 19, 2003
call me on my cell
Last night the Renegurls had another beer bar fundraiser at the Eagle, so I showed up to hobnob with the team and see what was out there. The Eagle can be very hit and miss sometimes, but Saturday night was a variety pack of all types of men. I couldn't help but notice one guy who was in the corner near the beer bar, manically tapping instant messages to a friend via his cell phone. The glow of his cell illuminated his face in an eerie blue light, emphasizing the gleeful look on his face as he ignored every other human in the darkened bar. I thought it was kind of sad...I made the effort to get away from home and computer to get out and talk to people, and here was this guy who couldn't keep the digital at home. What's the point in going out if you're going to isolate yourself in a shell of virtual socialization?
Having gotten my own cell phone last week with limited minutes, I'm sure to be frugal with my conversations, and I don't have a lot of bells and whistles on it either. I finally broke down and got one after being frustrated with nearly everyone else's ability or desire to make hard plans. When you have a cell phone, you can always call at the last minute for directions on location. Even with the rugby team, when we have a change in field locations that had been announced earlier in the week, there's always someone who hadn't printed out the directions or maps who calls someone else in a panic at the last minute for directions.
Don't get me wrong, I think I live in an amazing time where I've seen technological advances first seen in the original Star Trek series. Cell phones are no different than Captain Kirk's communicators. Evironmental engineers now have devices not dissimilar from the standard Federation Tricorder. Instant messaging, digital music and of course the Internet still continue to amaze me. But with the advent of these advances, new social protocols are in order, from habits as simple as avoiding cell phone calls while driving to making plans ahead of time, and keeping the cell at home when you're at the gym or going out.
Posted by jimbo at October 19, 2003 12:38 PM
Comments
I just got my cell phone last year. And I quickly learn the proper cell phone ediquettes. Like keeping it on vibrate when out on a dinner or movie. Or shutting it off (cause if its really important they would leave a message).
I think of mine as combination of pocket watch and tracking device cause that puppy only seems to ring when I set foot outside my apartment. But it does come in handy when I get lost in DC.
A few years back this company
http://www.stim.com/Stim-x/0996September/Sparky/tricorder.html
was selling a Tricorder that took readings of airtemp/pressure, humidity levels, Magnetic readings and was able to detect (at close range) if an electronic device was putting out power.
Now Medical Tricorders are becoming closer to reality as well.
http://www.arstechnica.com/archive/news/1057511500.html
Toshiba is currently doing research and developement for the creation of a "Trek" like scanner/tricorder for medical usage.
Now if they can speed it up on transporters or Holodecks.
Posted by: Dax at October 20, 2003 8:39 AM
you should have told me about the wig issue...someone had left a nice blonde wig behind the club bar at the Eagle...I'm serious!
Posted by: stebbins at October 21, 2003 9:46 AM
I SAW that wig and thought of swiping it...I thought...who'd have use of this wig here?
Posted by: wig thief at October 22, 2003 12:05 PM