Technology gripes

[m_cobweb]

Part 1: I hate cell phones. Even though I have one (after resisting mightily for years). Not just because of the preoccupied-yuppie-with-glazed-eyes-and-phone bearing down on unsuspecting travelers, either. I think I hate them because they promise things they can't fulfull, due to the humans who are in charge of them. The point of my having a cell phone is to be able to reach people quickly when something comes up. If my phone, or the other person's phone, has run down, is in the other car, is in the other purse, is lost, or is turned off, this does not happen. The promise is of a foolproof way to communicate rapidly when needed. The reality is often of frustration. I've been on both ends of that one, so I know of whence I speak.

Part 2: Glossy war coverage looks to me like another TV show or movie. It fictionalizes reality. I found that choppy satellite coverage from Iraq brought the reality of the war home to me in ways that the shiny, perfect coverage couldn't do.

Comments

[vulture23.livejournal.com]

Yep, cell phones can never be more reliable than the memory of their owner. I've been fortunate in having gotten in the habit of keeping my cell phone charged and with me all the time, but it's only because I try to make sure that I always have it that I'm able to keep track of it. I don't trust myself to remember it when it's important, I have to have it be a constant habit. And even then, I'm not always so good about actually calling someone if I'm running late....

I also understand/agree regarding the slick, polished war coverage. We're so used to seeing "realistic" high-production-value war fiction in movies and TV that it can be hard to distinguish between that and high-production-value "factual" war coverage. (The actual fact content of American war coverage is another debate, but let's not get into that just now.)

[kittyn420.livejournal.com]

Well put Jeff. I also agree. But then again I can't watch the news...