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Debate<br />
Is the Advanced Cell Phone<br />
Actually Better?<br />
Convenient and Instant<br />
For many people, there is no rush to<br />
grab their phone when it rings. Typically,<br />
the sound is just an alert for an incoming<br />
text message. If busy with other things, it<br />
is easy to simply ignore the text message<br />
until there is a spare moment to read and<br />
respond. No longer do we need to look at<br />
our caller ID and dread what is waiting for<br />
us on the other side. With text messages,<br />
all of the information is usually listed in<br />
the first text. Corresponding back and<br />
forth is easier with fewer interruptions or<br />
distractions we may experience while on<br />
the phone with someone. The time and<br />
place for texting or mobile browsing is not<br />
limited like with phone conversations.<br />
How often do we see a person in a quiet<br />
place pull out his or her phone to speak on<br />
it? It is common courtesy to cause as little<br />
inconvenience to others as possible, so the<br />
best option seems to be through voiceless<br />
means: text messaging or emailing via mobile<br />
web. It is also easier to use text messaging<br />
in loud environments. It is natural<br />
for people to ignore a phone call when in a<br />
loud place because it is obvious that the<br />
person will not hear what is said. Instead,<br />
texting this person explaining the situation<br />
and asking what he or she was going to<br />
say is more reasonable. There are no more<br />
headaches of trying to find a location in<br />
which you can hear each other. The conversation<br />
is less strained because no one is<br />
screaming at one another to be heard.<br />
Demanding and Distracting<br />
It is not a secret that after someone<br />
sends a text, he or she is expecting the person<br />
to reply shortly. It is even to the point<br />
that if it exceeds about 10-15 minutes, the<br />
person will consider it rude or being ignored.<br />
Basically, there is a list of unwritten<br />
etiquette related to this type of correspondence<br />
that could drive a person insane!<br />
There are people who actually get offended<br />
by this inaction even without knowing<br />
the reason the person has not yet replied.<br />
Thus, text messaging or emailing through<br />
mobile browsers is demanding! Say 'good<br />
bye' to free-time. Say 'hello' to the tension<br />
between people that could be enough to<br />
kill any bit of happiness.<br />
Ever sit in a meeting or a classroom and<br />
hear annoying ringtones or vibrations? If<br />
that's not enough, many people will proceed<br />
by taking out their phones and start<br />
text messaging even during important moments.<br />
Although this person is not speaking<br />
out loud, it is just as distracting, especially<br />
for the people closest to him or her.<br />
Think about it, this may be the reason that<br />
many companies and schools are banning<br />
mobile phone use. Consequently many<br />
people may follow cell phone etiquette,<br />
but have issues following common courtesy.<br />
For the average person, cell phones<br />
can be distracting. Cell phone use can be<br />
addicting when you know that anything<br />
and everything is at the tip of your fingers.<br />
It is a way that we can get ourselves out of<br />
'boring' moments which consequently<br />
tend to be the most important. These are<br />
the moments when we find ourselves<br />
thinking, "I wish I listened to.." or "I wish<br />
I remember what he said." Everyone has<br />
these moments.<br />
Natasha Willhite/ natasha@koreaittimes.com<br />
16 KOREA <strong>IT</strong> TIMES | December 2010
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