How cellphones have changed the way we communicate

The Wall Street Journal looks into the many ways the constant presence of cellphones has changed how we communicate. And, unfortunately, not all of them are good ones.

"Drunk dialing is one of those things that can make you wish you didn't have a cellphone, but it's just one of the ways the ubiquity of cellphones is changing how we communicate socially. These are just a few examples:

-- Spontaneity Over Planning - People don't stick to their plans/appointments any more, they can change them on the fly when something better comes up

-- Can You Help Me? - Cellphones will get you out of jams, but they also encourage you to not bother avoiding getting into jams. It's so easy just to make a call.

-- Voice Mail - Suspicion: If you can't reach someone on their cell phone, not only are you indignent, but become suspicious. Is the person filtering you out, ignoring you or with someone else?

-- Me, Me, Me - One of the great things about cellphones is they let you fill up time that would otherwise be wasted: taxicab rides, running errands, and so forth. Whatever happened to looking up at the world around you?

emily | 9:47 AM | Cell Phone Etiquette |
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