The Mobile Phone: Ultimate Third Wheel
The Ultimate Third Wheel
There’s an object that has a place on every dinner, coffee and bedside table. It’s a great invention, wonderful creation and a device without which we would be lost. The mobile phone. It’s there when we’re breathing, eating and sleeping.
Whilst sitting in Ladurée with One Day in hand I decided to put it down and look around; there wasn’t a single person without their phone. The lonely girl in the corner, most likely texting friends. The husband was on his Blackberry, most likely replying to work emails. The married woman on her iPhone was most likely playing one of her many iPhone games in order for time to fly by.
When did a mobile phone become a necessity at a meal? Why can’t two people enjoy each other’s company and have a decent conversation without glancing over at their notifications every 10 minutes? This is a concept I am familiar with myself. My iPhone and Blackberry will constantly be at my side whilst I wait for time to pass, but why can’t couples who lunch and dine leave their phones in their bags, pockets or jackets for the duration of a meal? Have we become so dependent and addicted to our phones that we can’t appreciate an outing without? Surely whatever message being received at the time can wait an extra hour and a half.
http://images.sodahead.com
But the love triangle doesn’t stop at the restaurant. An acquaintance who had just taken a trip to Antigua with her husband described it as “a lovely beach holiday with my husband and his blackberry.” It’s an image I can visualize without difficulty: woman on deck chair trying to tan, man on deck chair (still wearing his shirt) reading his messages.
The problem with mobiles is that they are conversation starters as well as conversation killers. There is a whole stream of content that can be discussed in respect to one’s phone. “How is the new 4S? Does Siri work well? Can you show me how it’s done? I’m considering getting one for myself, tell me more about it.” And from this many thoughts can be exchanged. However, phones also act as a barrier. If you don’t feel like talking you can pick your phone up and box yourself off. If you see someone in the street you can ignore them by burying your head in your phone. It is a saviour for men and women alike when they find themselves in situations they would rather not be in.
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There is no gizmo I am more thankful for than my iPhone. It plays music, I can chat to people in real time, receive all my emails, check Facebook, update Twitter, read tweets, take photos, play games and much much more. But there is a time when we have to say goodbye to the virtual world and greet a human conversation with open arms. Nevertheless, these times will not happen over night, nor will this be the case next week, neither will it occur next year. Perhaps there should be a smoking law enforced on phones in social places. There are rules such as this in many members’ clubs: these machines may be kept switched on but rarely answered. Of course, this is not for the benefit of the club itself, but it leaves peace and quiet to the surrounding parties. No ringtones head, no tapping of the keyboard and no noise of the latest addicting game.
Could we survive a few hours without the constant buzzing of our phones or do we need to go to technology rehab? If we leave the phones alone will intellect follow?
Or will we end up merging with them?
The Growth of Mobile
This video, “The Growth of Mobile: Stats and figures that will shock you!” courtesy of Sybase.com gives a fascinating and surprising insight into mobile phone history up until 2010.
For me, my phone has always been a problem in my relationships. I love being constantly connected (most of all I think I just love looking at my 4S), but every few days I do hear the phrase, "I swear you/he loves that phone more than me sometimes" from my girlfriend. Interesting though - I used the word love about my phone and didn't mention anything about it when speaking about my girlfriend!
Can't read this article. I'm too busy playing Temple Run.
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