Rusty Saber: Cell phones bring mixed bag of popular uses

|tab|

Joe McAdoo is former chairman of the communication department at Drury University.|ret||ret||tab|

|ret||ret||tab|

I view cell phones with mixed emotions. In the early days of cell phones, they were mostly found in cars. My first one was a state-of-the-art bag phone. Bag, as in as big and heavy like a suitcase. It was bulky, but could be used outside; mine remained in my car in case of emergencies. My current phone is far from state-of-the-art, but it gets the job done in case of an emergency. |ret||ret||tab|

The wireless phone has found its way into the mainstream of American life. Surprisingly, the Wall Street Journal reports the popularity of cell phones to be greater in Europe and Asia than America. That may be, but they have become as essential for most Americans as wrist watches, purses or wallets. Don't leave home without them. You never need to be out of the reach of anyone who knows your number. That's a good thing, assuming you want to be reached. If not, don't turn it on.|ret||ret||tab|

To me, driving while talking on a phone is right up there with driving and reading a newspaper, eating or combing one's hair. Surviving in traffic gridlock requires both hands, feet, eyes and both sides of the brain. Using a phone driving in 70 mph bumper-to-bumper traffic is what I call misuse of the cell phone. |ret||ret||tab|

Cell phones can be valuable; they unshackle people from phones at home or office. Whether in cars or public, cell phones can be misused. We should be able to go to libraries, stores, restaurants or theaters without being treated to other people's telephone conversations. |ret||ret||tab|

A couple of examples: |ret||ret||tab|

While waiting to board an airplane, a man behind me was loudly chewing out someone I assumed to be an employee. The result was not pleasant for the employee or other passengers in line. |ret||ret||tab|

At the mall, a young lady walked past me seemingly in the process of breaking up with a boyfriend. He must have been a very bad boy, indeed. She was haranguing him with scalding expletives that can't be repeated here. I didn't need to hear that. |ret||ret||tab|

Comparing my ancient bag phone to modern ones is like comparing a covered wagon to a new Corvette. New gadgets keep on "improving" cell phones. Soon, today's modern marvels will be like covered wagons.|ret||ret||tab|

One of the latest innovations is the tiny camera installed in some phones. Upon hearing that a photo could be taken with a phone and transmitted to other phones, I wondered about the person being photographed who might not want to be photographed. Well, before passing off my concern as grumbling from a hopeless, behind-the-times, anti-high-tech geezer, read on: Internet sites have cropped up featuring pictures snapped in public bathrooms, locker rooms and other places where cameras are a no-no.|ret||ret||tab|

According to Associated Press writer Martha Irvine, one Web site that advertises itself as "the real reason mobile phones have cameras" allows visitors to rate women's behinds from photos taken in secret at public places. Those interested in such drivel don't need a Web site to participate; they can send pictures to each other.|ret||ret||tab|

Some states are considering laws to prohibit camera phones from places where they shouldn't be, such as restrooms and dressing rooms.|ret||ret||tab|

Some schools forbid students from bringing them to school. A Kansas City strip club has a sign at the door warning that cell phone cameras will be "confiscated and crushed with our sledgehammer."|ret||ret||tab|

The camera-phone isn't all bad. A recent news story reported on a man exposing himself to women in a parking lot; one woman had a camera phone. The photo led to his quick arrest. Hit-and-run drivers have been caught because of on-the-spot photos of license plates. The Wall Street Journal reports that in Scotland paramedics are experimenting with sending photos of injured persons back to hospitals to prepare doctors for their arrival. |ret||ret||tab|

[[In-content Ad]]