David Campbell wrote on cell phones:

> ...But I wonder if there are measurable psychological benefits
> associated with cell phones.  People have the comfort of being
> always potential in-touch,...

That sounds more like a downside than a benefit! Whatever happened to
self-reliance. My impression is that a lot of people use mobile phones
(alright, cell phones) as a kind of comfort blanket.

Yes, there are situations (such as suggested by David) where cell phones
are a boon, but that's another issue.

P.S. The London Underground transport authority (or whatever they call
themselves nowadays) are reportedly negotiating with a mobile phone
company to construct installations in the tube tunnels to enable
Underground passengers to use their cell phone on tube journeys. I know
that there are occasions, such as emergencies (personal or public), when
this could be valuable, but the idea of masses of people gabbling into
their mobiles in a packed (or half-empty, come to that) tube carriage is
the stuff of nightmares. I await the cases of "cell-phone rage" as
instruments are torn from the grasp of users and smashed on the ground --
or worse.

Allen Esterson
Former lecturer, Science Department
Southwark College, London
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

http://www.human-nature.com/esterson/index.html
http://www.butterfliesandwheels.com/articleprint.php?num=10

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