Nokia say it’s all about “connecting people”. Vodafone ask, “How are you?” and tell us to “make the most of now”. Apple claim “touching is believing” Every company has “their message” burned into our minds regarding their phones and communication. “They sell it to you as freedom, but it actually means that you are contactable at any time of the day”, Harris 2007.
There is no doubt that the mobile phone has proved itself to most as a necessity of daily life in current times. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Has the cell phone changed the way we communicate for good?
Ling, 2004 argues that the mobile phone is often treated as a mere social fad or a simple technical innovation but claims it has affected everything from our social and business coordination, to our safety and security in our day to day lives, that it has revolutionised teen freedom, communication and expression and examines the unexpected interaction between users and cell phones.
Recent studies made by Dr. Khurana 2009 claim that there is a significant body of evidence linking mobile phone use and brain tumours while recent studies from ‘Convergys’ claimed that children are becoming obsessed with mobile phones claiming 20% said their “lives would fall apart” without one. Then there’s the amusing anecdotes of “the cell refuseniks” that choose to ignore cell phones and a life without intrusion as reported in the New York Times by Cain Miller 2009, whom have spent their days devising alternate contact plans in order not to cave in to cellular technology.
Mobile phones have even been effective in playing an important role in catastrophes such as 9/11, Noll and Clarke 2003. The technology of mobile communication played a part in the organisation of the hijackers and their ease of planning through mobile devices. The NYPD, NYFD and other support group’s communication, all being “mobile” no doubt saving hundreds of lives. To the communication of loved ones trying to comfort each other through the unthinkable situation and circumstances.
Love it or hate it mobile technology has an effect on every moment of every day.
References:
Harris, I. 2007. ‘The Stubborn few holding out”. Guardian. [Internet] : http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/mar/19/news.mobilephones [20/10/09]
Ling, R. 2004. ‘The Mobile Connection”. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.
Lean, G. 2009. “Mobile Phones More Dangerous than Smoking” Independent. [Internet]: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/mobile-phones-more-dangerous-than-smoking-802602.html [20/10/09]
Cain Miller, C. 2009. “The Cell Refuseniks, and Ever Shrinking Club”. New York Times [Internet]: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/technology/23cell.html?hp [23/10/09]
Clarke, P & Michael Noll, A. 2003. “Crisis Communications: Lessons from September 11th”. Rowan & Littlefield.
An excellent literature review - well done!
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