by
Josh Goldman
on
December 12, 2006
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The advent of mobile technology is like any other cultural change. People will learn from society.
Early adopters of the automobile were probably the social step child of their time. The “rules of the road” had not yet been established. This new powerful machine was awkward and intrusive in the public space with new noise and fumes. As autos became economical for everyone (or did that ever really happen), and market penetration rose, all of the sudden the rules of the road were necessary. The rules serve as a foundation, but social responsibility has impact on our driving behavior. There will always be the occasional maniac driver, but social responsibility is driving the “norm.”
Mobile culture will be the same way. There will always be loud obnoxious people answering their phones in theaters and libraries. But as we market penetration continues to skyrocket and mobile devices end up in television shows, commercials, youtubevision, movies, etc., and as people observe the unwritten best practices, this smoking analogy will be put to bed.
My two cents.
Lp
I can appreciate Lp’s two cents, however, to avoid cars, one just has to avoid public roads. To avoid smoking/mobile phones, one must avoid the public. Also, in my opinion, its more than common to find one lacking the social manners of mobile use than it is to find a manic driver but that may change in time.
Additionally, I think that early adopters of the car were probably envied. No more horses to care for and poo to clean up.
I think users of any sort of device need to become more aware of their surroundings. There are times when it is appropriate to carry on a conversation, verbal or through email, but there are times when it isn’t.
My company frequently has large, day-long meetings where we have a group of ‘high-powered’ individuals corralled in a room for a day in order to have them produce something. Pretty soon, we are going to ask these people to turn in BlackBerry’s at the door. Even when the are expected to participate, they will ignore the conversation and type away. It is really worse than kids with notes in class.
I think organizations that issue these devices should have their professionals sign usage agreements where they specify how the person should act while operating this device. That way, the company doesn’t look bad and the people have someone telling them ‘No no no, it isn’t okay to read your email during a wedding… ‘
I love CrunchGear, but this story was pointless. Why would you write an opinion piece on an opinion piece? I would have just read it from USAToday in the first place.
Keep up the good work guys, but lets stick to original opinions. I like your opinions a whole hell of a lot more than UsaToday.