It's been said that we live in an addictive society; everyone is addicted to something. In fact, I recently read an article in Psychology Today on how addicted this society is to being addicted - true story.
In fact, there are very few things out there that are not addictive. Applause, bottled water, Harry Potter, and cinnamon toothpicks all made the long list of possible dangerous addictions.
Society is so addicted to addiction, television shows about addicted people have been created and now people are addicted to watching them. That's a vicious cycle.
The latest, most fashionable addiction to have is "nomophobia" - the fear of being without one's cell phone. "Experts" explain that the anxiety felt by those suffering from nomophobia is on par with wedding day jitters and trips to the dentist. No word on who these experts are, but it sounds like there may be a few people addicted to making up addictions.
Oh, that's good. I need to tweet that. Hold on.
Okay, where was I?
One recent study (conducted by "experts") found that 66 percent of people suffer from nomophobia. This study made national news, of course, since the media is also addicted to addiction, especially if children are involved. And trust me, if there is no evidence that children are involved, they will dig until they find a child that is. Thus photos are cropping up on the Internet of a woman dropping her baby but managing to hold on to her phone. She did not even take the phone away from her ear as she scooped the child off the sidewalk. Yes, this is horrid, but what is also horrid is that the person taking the photo saw what was happening and opted to grab his phone and take a photo rather than step in and try to help save the baby and/or snatch the phone out of the woman's hand and slap her with it.
Hold on a sec while I post that on my Facebook page.
This, by the way, leads me to my solutions for conquering this problem. While the Morningside Recovery Center in California has founded a recovery group for people suffering with nomophobia (of course they did!), and the pharmaceutical companies are no doubt rubbing their greedy little palms together planning to cash in on this new "addiction," I have a better solution.
Long ago and far away, in a place called the 1990s, I wrote a story about rude people with cell phones getting zapped in the head ala a Stephen Kingish-type phenomenon in which the phones turned on the users. I think it's time to take this plan into action. How about if Siri, that much-loved demon of the iPhone, gains the ability to zap stupidity on the spot?
Siri: "I'm sorry, but you have been on your phone long enough." ZAP! goes the electric shock.
Siri: "I'm sorry, but you are in a movie and are annoying everyone around you." ZAP!
Siri: "I'm sorry, but you just tweeted your 226th tweet of the day." ZAP!
Siri: "I'm sorry, but you have just dropped your baby." ZAP! ZAP! ZAAAPPP!
Actually that last one should issue a self-destruct, because if you are that bad off, you don't need a self-help group or medication. You need to be stopped.
I'm done now because I really need to take a call.
ZAP!
- Rebecca Todd is a freelance writer and the author of the book, "What's the Point?" available at booklocker.com. Contact her at btodd@tds.net.
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It’s a bleak scenario. A massive earthquake along the New Madrid fault kills or injures 60,000 people in Tennessee. A quarter of a million people are homeless.
Commentary
Discussion
Zap your cell phone addiction
By Rebecca Todd CNHI
Can you hold on a second? I need to send a text.
Okay, I'm ready.
It's been said that we live in an addictive society; everyone is addicted to something. In fact, I recently read an article in Psychology Today on how addicted this society is to being addicted - true story.
In fact, there are very few things out there that are not addictive. Applause, bottled water, Harry Potter, and cinnamon toothpicks all made the long list of possible dangerous addictions.
Society is so addicted to addiction, television shows about addicted people have been created and now people are addicted to watching them. That's a vicious cycle.
The latest, most fashionable addiction to have is "nomophobia" - the fear of being without one's cell phone. "Experts" explain that the anxiety felt by those suffering from nomophobia is on par with wedding day jitters and trips to the dentist. No word on who these experts are, but it sounds like there may be a few people addicted to making up addictions.
Oh, that's good. I need to tweet that. Hold on.
Okay, where was I?
One recent study (conducted by "experts") found that 66 percent of people suffer from nomophobia. This study made national news, of course, since the media is also addicted to addiction, especially if children are involved. And trust me, if there is no evidence that children are involved, they will dig until they find a child that is. Thus photos are cropping up on the Internet of a woman dropping her baby but managing to hold on to her phone. She did not even take the phone away from her ear as she scooped the child off the sidewalk. Yes, this is horrid, but what is also horrid is that the person taking the photo saw what was happening and opted to grab his phone and take a photo rather than step in and try to help save the baby and/or snatch the phone out of the woman's hand and slap her with it.
Hold on a sec while I post that on my Facebook page.
This, by the way, leads me to my solutions for conquering this problem. While the Morningside Recovery Center in California has founded a recovery group for people suffering with nomophobia (of course they did!), and the pharmaceutical companies are no doubt rubbing their greedy little palms together planning to cash in on this new "addiction," I have a better solution.
Long ago and far away, in a place called the 1990s, I wrote a story about rude people with cell phones getting zapped in the head ala a Stephen Kingish-type phenomenon in which the phones turned on the users. I think it's time to take this plan into action. How about if Siri, that much-loved demon of the iPhone, gains the ability to zap stupidity on the spot?
Siri: "I'm sorry, but you have been on your phone long enough." ZAP! goes the electric shock.
Siri: "I'm sorry, but you are in a movie and are annoying everyone around you." ZAP!
Siri: "I'm sorry, but you just tweeted your 226th tweet of the day." ZAP!
Siri: "I'm sorry, but you have just dropped your baby." ZAP! ZAP! ZAAAPPP!
Actually that last one should issue a self-destruct, because if you are that bad off, you don't need a self-help group or medication. You need to be stopped.
I'm done now because I really need to take a call.
ZAP!
- Rebecca Todd is a freelance writer and the author of the book, "What's the Point?" available at booklocker.com. Contact her at btodd@tds.net.
I’ve not kept it a secret that I find people who dress their dogs in clothes to be, to put it nicely, somewhat more than just eccentric. And many friendly, helpful readers out there have not kept it a secret that they really wish I would not express my views about dogs dressed as humans.
May 17, 2013
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
May 17, 2013
The federal government recently announced new regulations for buying fast food.
May 17, 2013
It sounds like the plot from a dystopian libertarian novel. The word “patriot” and the phrase “educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights” triggered heightened scrutiny from the most intrusive agency in the federal government.
May 17, 2013
The action at the bird feeder has been spectacular lately: Cardinals, finches, songbirds in impressive variety crowding around all day long in search of sustenance. It is truly gratifying …
For my neighbor.
That’s what it’s like at his feeder.
May 14, 2013
On April 27, Dr. Jeff Butts demonstrated a rare form of servant leadership as he participated in the Go Love Indy westside service project.
May 13, 2013
Everyone presumes that Sen. Chuck Schumer, the media-hungry Democrat from New York, wants to be the next Senate majority leader. His performance in the negotiations over the Gang of Eight immigration plan should bolster his case for an eventual promotion.
May 13, 2013
Someone had to take the fall for President Barack Obama thoughtlessly drawing a “red line” threatening serious consequences if Syria used chemical weapons. It turns out that it is the president himself.
May 13, 2013
There were other issues that had potentially greater financial impact or will leave a more resolute imprint on people’s lives, such as Medicaid expansion and Common Core.
May 13, 2013
It happens every year at this time; I make a little dandelion whine. So here goes.
May 10, 2013
Follow me on Twitter
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Part I: Are We Prepared? | Part II: Disaster Dollars
Part III: Lessons Learned | Part IV: Warning Signs
Part V: The Big One
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May 20, 2013 1 Photo
It’s a bleak scenario. A massive earthquake along the New Madrid fault kills or injures 60,000 people in Tennessee. A quarter of a million people are homeless.
May 19, 2013 3 Photos 3 Stories
Complete Report:
Part I: Are We Prepared? | Part II: Disaster Dollars
Part III: Lessons Learned | Part IV: Warning Signs
Part V: The Big One
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