I Probably Won't Die Of Cancer Either
Below is my entry for a contest ( cash prizes! ) about Cell Phone Users and Abusers with Brad Shorr over at WordSell
Just because we can doesn’t mean we should.
I choose not to.
I don’t have a cell phone. By choice I choose not to have one. Ever.
If you want to reach me simply leave me a message on my land line. Yup, that archaic thing that is connected to my wall. As a plus, I will actually return your call.
If I am in my car driving, I am not interested in receiving a phone call from you. See, while I am driving, I am navigating a large volume of heavy metal and glass, along a highway at often fairly high speeds along with several other hunks of metal and glass travelling at high speeds and I don’t want to die. I’d prefer our conversation wait until I can focus on you 100%. I want you to know how important you are to me. We can talk about what I am making for dinner later.
While I am at the grocery store I am not interested in the advisory approach to which head of lettuce is best. See, I feel confident that I can pick the very best head of lettuce without you.
While I am at Target I don’t feel the need to consult with you about which toilet paper is the best price or ask if I should get the 6 or the 12 pack. I am very capable of remembering that you are not a Charmin fan. I know that the Scott brand is what our household prefers. Yessiree, I can do this task independently too!
While lunching with a great friend whom I haven’t seen in ages I don’t need to add my slick pink cha-cha ring tone vibrating interuptor of conversation to the table décor. See, I believe that my time lunching out is really an OK time to well …eat, relax, and best of all since I am with a friend, I’d really like my friend to know that I have set aside that time to be with her. Not to address the important phone calls that might come through while dining.
I am not interested in having to go into a total panic when the darn thing rings or vibrates ever so obnoxiously. Do you know how ridiculous one looks when doing the contorted scramble into the bowels of their purse or pocket to turn off something that shouldn’t be on in the first place?? I certainly am not ever going to be the one to answer the phone, and whisper I TOLD you not to call me here! Seriously, folks you are not more important because you answer a phone call.
I appreciate the days when the work environment held to standards that included a hold my calls philosophy. Business transactions can certainly be achieved more efficiently when you aren’t negotiating the after school kid shuffle. I am certainly not interested in whether or not Johnny made it to soccer practice, and I really don’t care that you send hugs and kisses to your sweetheart who just got on a plane to Houston. I prefer to maintain business dealings separate from personal life dealings. Johnny can certainly leave a message that he made it across the street to the soccer field and if you didn’t kiss your honey before you left for work that morning – that’s your problem.
I am a person of integrity. If I say I will be somewhere at a certain time, then I will be sure to get there accordingly. If I am late due to circumstances beyond my control, then I will make my apologies when I get there. Does it really make a difference if you are waiting for me to know that I got stuck by a train and am moments late? Can’t you just sit there and chill and be productive while you are waiting instead? I am ever so happy to offer some while you are waiting strategies. Most folks who know me know that I am usually not late. I am actually often early or the first one to arrive. For those I know who are habitually late – not circumstances late but those who chose to clean the litter box on the way out late, and use the cell phone to appease their poor planning late? I’d rather not know about your litter box problems. I really have no respect for those who are late all the time.
For those of you who publically share tone with all of us sitting on the train. You know that tone you reserve for really specific pointed "I TOLD YOU TO NEVER" type of conversations, or conversations that are of a high fevered pitch? I am so not interested in the having the positive energy I brought in on the train get sucked into the vortex of your cell phone conversation because of your spat with your bank, your insurance carrier or your sweetie pie. I am not interested in how red your face can get, how foul your language can be or how superior you think you are … see I feel like that tone should be privately managed. Save it for later when you can really get full out mad and opinionated. We fellow train riders probably cramp your style. Besides I make it a point to write down all credit card information given publically over the phone. I really needed those new suede shoes.
Because I am one of few that chooses not to own and operate at the cell phone level, I feel a certain victory in saying I don’t have a cell. I enjoy being turned off.
I probably won’t die of brain cancer either. 
celluation - flickr image credit
Karen Hanrahan | writer
commentary about all things wellness
Blog: Best of Mother Earth
I am SO on board with you on this, Karen. I do have a cell phone, but I only have it on for emergencies when my kids are at the home school co-op or my son is out with friends.
It lives in my car where I check it when I'm not driving. If it rings when I'm driving, which is rare because everyone knows I don't answer it and hate having one, I just pull over as soon as I can and look at the number of the person who called. If it's important, I'll call back and speak very briefly. If it isn't, I'll call them when I get home.
I think cell phones are a nuisance and a health hazard and very disruptive to human relationships and humans in general. Now, what about music and screens in restaurants... How do you feel about them?
Shine On,
Lill
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I turned the TV off in 1996, and really despise it in public places - the view of moronic gazing simply because it's there is so disconnecting. I can think of one place I go that has a TV and the guy will turn the sound off when I am in there, love him for that. I don't frequent places that have them. I do like backround music in a restraunt, jazz is nice, especially if it's sortof romantic. Blaring music? No Thanks. My kids, their generation seemingly couldn't survive without the whole text, call, email, computer interfacing - I hope I can be an example to them to manage it respectfully. I like how you are managing your cell phone Lill! I am glad you stay connected with me!
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Karen, Your post is amazing. It seriously takes real courage to live without a cell phone. It's comparable to living without TV, but perhaps even harder. But I think you have a sensible attitude. We rush around feeling like everything is an emergency, but perhaps all we wind up doing is stressing ourselves out. Excellent food for thought! Thank you for participating in our contest.
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Brad...you so made my day! Thank you! I actually haven't watched TV since 1996. I can't say I was courageous, I just had to rebuild my family and homelife after my divorce. Turning the TV off created reading, homework and family meal time! Perhaps folks have forgetten how peaceful it can be. Life before cell phones? What about life before answering machines? What about living off the land? I think I must really be from another life!!
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Hi Karen,
Although I understand the things you feel about cell phones, it doesn't have to be that way if you own one.
I drive in areas where there is nothing but desert for miles- and I have had to call AAA on quite a few occasions for help - have had blown tires, dead battery and nails in tires.
I have used my cell to call the police when I see an accident or someone in trouble on the side of the road.
I have used my cell phone to call an ambulance for a woman who passed out in a store.
I have many friends around the country with time differences (3 hours), and they can only call at certain times. It's the way we can keep in touch, and I am glad to receive their calls when I'm not home.
I want to get that emergency call - like when my son's friend was injured and I had to take him to the hospital.
OR when my son was injured, and his friend called ME on my cell phone.
Sometimes my employer needs to call me -about change in work time since SHE is on call during the week.
All people with cell phones are not rude - I don't talk loudly in public places when I use my phone. And I have my phone on vibrate in my pocket so I don't disturb anyone.
When I'm at a meeting, in church, etc. I turn my cell phone off, but people can still leave messages.
I don't think it takes courage to live without a cell phone - it just depends on the type work you do and the area you live in -
As far as brain cancer - well - just get a gauss meter and check the electromagnetic fields in your very own home - you'd be amazed at what you're exposed to - LIKE YOUR COMPUTER!!!!
I use to make myself crazy with this in the early 80's- like high tension wires, etc., until I realized that I couldn't change the world, and all I could do is live life the best I can for myself and others.
For me, I like my cell - I like to know if there's an emergency, be able to call for help, etc.
It's must a matter of personal choice.
As far as television - I LOVE Animal Planet, The Health Channel, The History Channel and some of the other free cable stations. I also love the movies on USA and A&E. I've learned more about history and health on some of those stations than I did in grade school, high school, nursing school and college.
When people say television is just a vast wasteland, I can only assume they've never watched any learning channels.
Lori
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I have always been on the other side of the fence when it comes to certain things.
TV is one.
Cell phones seemingly the other.
I of course can appreciate the value a cell phone can provide. You have portrayed it beautifully here. I too have experienced the value of a cell. The immediancy of a cell phone is intoxicating. I am saying no to the constant connectivity. I get to. This doesn't judge you or anyone else for appreciating your cell phone - I personally want nothing to do with it
I too have been stranded on a highway, in the desert, in the mountains, in the snow and somehow pre-cell, post cell and somehow I find the help I need.
I love that about the world we live in. Folks are always around to give a hand
I personally have had my fill of history channels to know that it's just not for me. I somehow manage to be educated, informed and actually up on current events...without having it shoved down in my face!! Strong words I know...but that is my feeling on the matter. I find all TV invasive.
I am aware of the harms of my computer, big on taking my antioxidants and detox nutrients to offset that. I would say that my computer is probably my one poison!
Years ago I was able to alter my cell integrity by just adding Vitamin E - some of my cells had crimps in their exterior - it showed up in live cell analysis and was fascinating! I altered that completely!
Can you tell I am a believer in supplementation??
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you are at your best when you are at your best..i can hear your voice, see your face, although i know only the online version of these.
besides, this is exactly my point of view to the very last word...no cell, ns
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oh nadine your support always warms my heart... i take it I did " good" with this one...your nadine-ness stamp of approval - our virtual friendship means alot to me - kindred and without cells. We rock!
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