Could mobile phones be worse than... everything · Issue 871

Dear gair rhydd,

I am writing in response to James Hinks’ article ‘Could Mobile Phones be Worse than Smoking?’, in issue 869.

Yes, fair enough, we do not know the long-term effects of mobile phone use. I guess this is pretty common-sense, as they have not been around long-term enough for us to have judged this, but clearly there’s a sense that mobiles are, perhaps, something more than good for us.

Even if phones are not the greatest invention for our health, medically or sanity-wise, I have many more problems with phones. Why have we become a nation, or even worse, a global society so obsessed and reliant on these things?

Just recently I read an article claiming that sports companies have launched new programs where you can download coaching sessions on your phone who motivate you as you are jogging through your ear piece. Surely, even as close as ten years ago, the idea of running down the street in your latest nike gear, loyally snuggling a nokia to your ear would seem insane.

I was worried, even as a kid, that phoning someone was going to be a substitute for the good old communication of actually meeting up with people (wait….they used to do that? crazy….).

But now internet and sites like facebook have become substitutes for even speaking to people in the first place. Instead of phoning that friend who’s always been there for you, I’m sure a poke will do.

But now you can get the internet on the run and, of course, your fancy new mobile, an irony has seemed to surface. Whilst it is arguably easier to communicate and keep in touch than ever before, actual communication has become more rare than ever. I don’t remember the last time anyone wrote me a letter, other than the bank man, or, what a surprise, my phone company billing me for ridiculous amounts.

I don’t want us to get rid of technology, I’m not a techno-phobe and I know how much people appreciate being able to keep in touch with friends all round the world. I am not suggesting we digress twenty years, but let’s try not to forget some basic principles.

We should be able to motivate ourselves to exercise without our T-mobile voice coach, we should try and see our friends more than we poke them, and setting reminders should not be a substitute for a good old-fashioned memory.

Anon