dear cell phone culture,

now..i know we have never been that tight. but every time i see a parent totally ignoring their kid to text, a customer in line blabbing on their cell instead of talking to the customer service person, or someone on the train not looking up once from their cell the whole ride, i can't help feeling that you are a total jerk face.

some may say that i am anti-technology or old fashioned, but that's not altogether true..sure i may talk like a grampa sometimes but i love email, the interweb (heck im typing on it now) and atms and watching the x-files on netflix as much as the next guy.

i think the beautiful thing about technology is that it can connect us over long distances and perhaps allow us to break down differences and share perspectives more freely. and learn about various things accessibly. and sometimes spend less time on things that take up our time that aren't always that fun.

however, when the technology becomes the thing that is taking up our time and we forget to look around, or have actual human contact, miss out on people/city scenery watching on the train, or the words of our kids. when we would rather talk on the phone then have a conversation with the person we are right in front of. this is when you become a big ole problem.

i feel like i've been pretty patient with you. i don't hate on anyone who simply owns a cell phone. that's not what i have a beef with. even though alot of folks seem to get defensive when i say i don't have a cell phone! i'm not saying that i hate anyone for it!!! because it's what you do with it, you know...

so all i'm saying is. put it down sometimes. often. look around. send a snail mail letter. leave it at home. pay attention. talk to the people around you. don't yell on it loudly on the train. don't leave your friend feeling bored and awkward while you blab on it.

and don't make the mistake of thinking you can't live without it.

sincerely,
lesley d