New distance

There is no debate whether cell phones make us more connected in a technological sense of the word. However, interpersonal connections are affected by cell phones in strange and interesting ways. Yes, it is certainly priceless to be able to get a hold of our friends and family any time, anywhere (as long as they keep their phones on and charged, darn it). But let's look at the limitations of 'cellular society', and then perhaps try to detect some signs of danger.

A typical mobile phone user knows well at what times the calls are free, where one should expect roaming charges, and with whom he or she can talk for a long time without paying a cent (i.e. people on the same network). Oddly enough, we may be able to communicate more easily with someone in a different state, as opposed to family members in the same town. We can become locked in within a certain group of people simply because we chose a specific service provider. It is no big deal for most of us, but for those who tend to talk a lot cell phones can help build relationships following a rather unnatural framework. Cellular networks are the new distance.

Text messaging, in my opinion, is a different story altogether. It is a cheaper, more democratic technology. But some troubling trends that can develop here. 'Texting' results in downgrading the level of personal connectedness between people. You cannot 'text' your true state of mind, your disposition towards the addressee. The possibilities for misinterpretation are also enormous. One can spend hours waiting for a reply, while being fully aware that no other mode of communication is possible for any number of reasons. The obvious objection can be that this is no different from email. The difference, however, is in the fact that computers occupy only specific locations in the spatial make-up of our individual lives. We can step away from them. Text messaging devices become attached to us and this causes them to have a greater affect upon us. We are more likely to put on a mask, to create a separate persona while texting than at any other time.

Cell phones are ushering in a new world of interpersonal relations, but this world is not going to be intrinsically more cohesive and transparent. There will also be new opportunities for compartmentalizing of individuals and wide-spread dystopia in the society.

Cell phones in restaurants?

People should be discouraged from using cell-phones in restaurants that find it inappropriate to have their patrons needlessly disturbed. I am far from suggesting a complete ban. Rather it seems as if establishments should make their own choices. I know a couple of restaurants where the atmosphere is such that one could care less (and it is so noisy there that you could not use a phone anyway). In fact, it would not be such a bad idea to have cell-phone licenses issued to restaurants. This would indicate that noise pollution and additional high-tech nuisances often associated with mobile phones are generally not welcome in certain public areas.

There is also another, more important issue. By making a choice about the use of cell-phones in locations typically understood as safe havens of human existence, we are preparing ourselves for other decisions that will be dealing with technologies that have not yet fully evolved. If mobile phones are primarily 'hated' as agents of sonic and social distraction, imagine how much worse things will become when popular personal devices allow one to project a 40-inch holographic videophone screen from a pen-size device.

Our ancestors in their wisdom decided that when gentlemen go inside, their horses must stay outside. By getting it right with cell phones we save ourselves some trouble in the future.

Official TV

As it stands now, if I am not mistaken, Sony is the official TV of NFL, and Sharp is the official TV of MLB. What should one choose? I am partial to both sports. Baseball, however, lasts longer. Sounds like a better investment.

new TV or a vacation?

Here is one way to look at it. A new LCD TV will last for years. A vacation will only last a week or so.

Here is another way to look at it. A good LCD TV will last many years. A good vacation will last forever...

LCD myth confirmed

I just realized the reason why my TV died two months before the two-year Costco warranty was due to expires. It is often thought that home appliances and electronic devices, LCD TVs not excluding, are programmed to die after two years of service. The trick is that I got mine as a floor model, so it probably had worked for a few months prior to its demise. So, I consider the myth about cheap LCD TVs confirmed. It's too bad those floor models are not so easy to snatch!

My cheap LCD story

This is totally inspirational and uplifting. At the time when cheap LCD TVs are getting cheaper and cheaper it appears as if I was able to snatch the ultimate cheap TV. A free one. That's right. Zero dollars. The downside is that I had to return it. Well, here is what happened. Almost two years ago I got a little 19" Proview LCD. It did not even have a HDTV tuner, which was eventually rectified through the purchase of a Samsung DirecTV receiver. I got this unit at Costco for about $300. You'll say that it's not free? OK. Two weeks ago the thing broke down during a baseball game. The big question at the time was how much I'd have to pay the city hall to have it removed. Surprise! As it turned out, Costco extends manufacturer warranty on TVs up to 2 years! I was able to return the unit for full refund. That's what it means to have owned a real cheap LCD TV for almost two years!

Civil War music

Here is a little story that fell through the cracks. It's been syndicated by AP, but I saw it at CNN:

http://cnn.com/2007/US/09/29/civilwar.bands.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch

"With darkness settling over the battlefield and soldiers bedding down for the night, the familiar lyrics rose -- music and voices blending from both Union and Confederate camps."

You get the picture. It was disappointing to find out that this little piece of publicity did not convert into visits on the websites of these good bands, particularly 2nd South Carolina String band. I am totally partial to it. So, I will shamelessly plug it right here: