Yes

by Wayne Leon Learmond

Created on: April 17, 2012   Last Updated: April 18, 2012

Cell phones are worth the investment and cost for a number of reasons. One of the chief reasons being that they have become extremely useful in 'keeping in touch' with those we love, wherever we may be.  One only has to go back 30 or 40 years or so, when cell/mobile phones were unheard off, and one can clearly see the disadvantages of not owning one. In the dark and distant past there were only a few ways that one could keep in touch with family members and friends.

And as for emergencies?  Well, the telegram was the chief means of contacting those near and dear to us. Mostly, when one received a telegram, it contained bad news and was looked upon as a bad omen. People would literally shake upon receiving a telegram through their letter box.

In the 1830s, when the Electric Telegram Service was devised by William Cooke and Charles Wheastone, little did those two men realise what an impact their invention would make. During the 19th century - and beyond - the telegram became a system to send to someone when they were struck with personal tragedy.

However, now, in the 21st century, the cell/mobile phone has clearly become an object, that is not so much desired, but it has become a necessity. Now, virtually everyone owns one. And, indeed, people place their whole lives within their cell phones. In fact, they have now become indispensable  as they are not just phones, but a 'Jack-of-all-trades'. 

They are phones, electronic diaries/secretaries, electronic notebooks, music players, games machines, cameras, and indeed portable computers. They have stamped their identity so strongly upon society that arguably, only the inventions of the wheel, photography, electric light, radio, television and computer technology  has managed to do with equal measure and importance.

They have become indispensable, simply because there are so many people who rely upon them now. And they really are worth their weight in gold. This is in terms of being able to communicate with each other, either by phone, text or e-mail.  And to think, all this is done just by using a single handset.

For emergencies, they are of paramount importance, and have really saved the lives of those people who might not have been saved, if it had not been for their cell phones.  For this one reason alone, cell phones are worth the price that people invest in them. And really, there is no going back now.

In the present day, imagine now, a world without cell phones?  Imagine, if you will, going back to the days of posting your letter to your friend or family member, or of even having to use a public phone box as you search desperately for small change?  Imagine going back to the days of never being able to keep in touch the way we want too, with those we love and cherish?

No. Those days are long gone, as the cell/mobile phone continues to go from strength to strength.  And there seems to be no stopping its progressive march upon society. It has now become indelibly-linked with society in such a way, that there are countless millions who would simply stop living if it were not for their cell phone.

Of course, the above, as dramatic as it is, is not necessarily true.  If cell phones were wiped away, in one fell swoop, then we, as human beings, would simply get on with it - simply because we would have too.  Life would go back to being a lot more slower-paced, and people might actually then, take the time to look up at each other, smile, and say 'hello'.

And this is one of the biggest negatives about cell phones. That they certainly have changed society in a most profound way but negative way too. They have changed society so much, that people have become slaves to their cell phones - indeed, addicted.  No one has the time to look up and acknowledge another person's existence. Because, within the 'cell phone world' real people do not exist.

However, despite this, the cell phone is not going to go away anytime soon. In fact it continues to grow at a never-ending pace. They have certainly made communication between peoples, and even nations a lot simpler, faster, and clearer - due to the speed of Wireless Broadband Internet, 3g and 4g.

So, despite their negative aspects upon society as explained above, their positives are just as strong - when used in a way that is beneficial to society. So, in the long run - considering what they bring to society - cell phones are definitely worth the cost of investing in one.

Learn more about this author, Wayne Leon Learmond.
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