How To Avoid "Cell Phone Slavery"
By Cliff Ennico
It really is amazing when you think how far #147;personal technology#148; has come in the last 15 years. Back in 1990, we had just mastered #147;word processing machines,#148; such as the now-defunct Wang terminals, and were just getting accustomed to a personal computer on every desktop.
Today, we have gone a long way toward losing the desktop. We can talk on the cell phone anywhere, anytime, and check our e-mails on a Blackberryreg; while we#146;re doing it. Throw in a wireless Internet connection and a #147;pocket PC#148;, and you are wired up to the world every minute, every day, wherever you are.
But here#146;s my question: have these gizmos made us any happier, or more free? Please don#146;t think me backwards if I suggest that these gadgets are the biggest threat to our personal freedom since Communism. Don#146;t blame the technology #150; the fault is yours. Without some personal discipline, you run the risk of becoming a slave to your technology, instead of the other way around. The cell phone, especially, can get you in a lot of trouble, as anyone who wants to yank your chain and interrupt your life can do so by pressing a few buttons and hitting #147;send#148;.
Case history # 1
: yesterday on my way to the supermarket a bright red SUV cut in front of me and nearly drove me off the road. Far from acknowledging how close we came to a collision, the driver remained oblivious, focusing on an animated cell phone conversation he was having (judging by his facial expression, he was either chewing out a subordinate at the office or arguing with his spouse).
Case history # 2
: when I got to the supermarket another man was standing in line with a parcel to be shipped, and was talking to someone on a cell phone with a wireless headset, so from the back he looked like he was talking to himself. I stood in line behind him, and eavesdropping on the conversation (hey, I couldn#146;t help it, the whole store could hear him), realized that he was talking to a client of mine about a business transaction. I had a sheet of my stationery in my hand, so I scribbled on it #147;watch what you say, I am Mr. So-and-So#146;s attorney#148;, tapped him on the shoulder, and handed him the note. You should have seen his face change colors . . .
Case history # 3
: a prospective new client called me the other day to ask for legal help. She was delighted with my fee quote, but became upset when I politely refused to give her my cell phone number. She told me flat out that in her opinion it #147;wasn#146;t professional#148; of me not to give out my cell phone number to all clients, and hung up.
Far from being angry at these folks (extreme examples, I admit), you#146;ve got to feel a little sorry for them. The technology that was supposed to give them more control over their lives has instead made them more stressed out, harried and frazzled.
Here are some very strict rules I follow when it comes to using my cell phone. I won#146;t claim they are perfect, or even fair, but so far they#146;ve kept me sane, and in control of my life.
Keep Your Cell Phone Off as Much as Possible.
Personally, I use my cell phone only for outgoing phone calls. The idea is that the phone is there for my convenience, not anyone else#146;s. When I do not wish to be disturbed, the cell phone is turned off. In fact, I turn it on only when I want to make a call.
Give Your Cell Phone Number Only to Essential People.
Your spouse and (if your work for someone else) your boss should, of course, have access to your cell phone number. If you are working on an intense project for a client who is furnishing you with more than 50 percent of your income, you should give the client#146;s key personnel your number as well. That#146;s it #150; cell phone access should be a special privilege you afford to only your best customers. Others can leave their messages on your land line.
Discourage Cell Phone VoiceMail Messages.
With #147;Caller ID#148; and other tools people can find out your cell phone number even if you don#146;t give it to them, so consider putting the following message on your cell phone VoiceMail: #147;hi, you#146;ve reached the cell phone of _________. I don#146;t normally take calls on my cellphone, and check this VoiceMail box only once or twice a week, so please be patient if I don#146;t respond to your message promptly. If your message is urgent, please call my office at [number]. I check my messages there at least every few hours when I#146;m on the road, and will be more likely to respond quickly. Thanks!#148;
Do Not Use Your Cell Phone In a Crowd.
You never know who is around you when you are in a public place. If anyone can overhear your conversation, do not say anything on your cell phone that you would expect to be kept confidential.
Never, Ever Use Your Cell Phone While Driving.
A number of municipalities have banned cell phone use while a car is in motion. Frankly, they should make that a federal law for all 50 states. If you need to talk to someone while you are driving, pull off the road to a safe place and make your call while the car is idling.
And if you do get into an accident while talking on your cell phone, have the decency to give the other person your insurance information. It was your fault, after all.
Cliff Ennico (
cennico@legalcareer.com
) is a syndicated columnist, author and host of the PBS television series 'Money Hunt'. This column is no substitute for legal, tax or financial advice, which can be furnished only by a qualified professional licensed in your state. To find out more about Cliff Ennico and other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit our Web page at
www.creators.com
. COPYRIGHT 2004 CLIFFORD R. ENNICO. DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC. Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com
