Today cell phones are commonplace and they are rapidly changing our society. Putnam discussed the decline of social capital as a result of the Internet because of its effect on place. We cannot distinguish between private and public places because they have diffused into one. In “Disconnected Urbanism,” Goldberg discusses how cell phones have changed our sense of place, making it more difficult to draw the line between them. He believes that cell phones have privatized public space, and people miss out on shared social experiences that public spaces once provided. Putnam valued shared experiences, and cell phones are rapidly decreasing our shared experiences, decreasing our social capital. I would argue that while the cell phone is not allowing for new interactions, it does strength our pre-existing relationships. I agree with Goldberg’s main argument: private and public spaces are no longer distinguishable from one another. The cell phone places people in contact with virtually everyone else, creating a mobile social network. However, this social network that may be strengthened by the use of cell phones cannot replace the value of shared experiences and public space. We are narrowing our social network, making it more difficult to interact in public places.
Cell phones raised many etiquette issues that Ling discusses in his article, “The Social Juxtaposition of Mobile Telephone Conversations and Public Spaces.” It is true that cell phones disrupt public spaces for both the people around the cell phone and the user. Eavesdropping is a result of the introduction of technology into public spaces. Simple things such as eye contact between strangers is far more difficult because the cell phone users are completely engaged in his or hers conversation, but they disengage him or herself from the public space.
Ling’s first article is based on his observation; his second article, “One Can Talk about Manners!” is based on his research. He found that 75% of men used cell phones, while only 30% of women did. However, he used a very small sample size consisting of 34 men and 16 women. This sample is far too small to draw broad assumptions across the general population. I believe a more accurate study would show an even higher percentage of people that are cell phone users. Although the study appears flawed, the conclusions he draws are relevant. The disturbance of cell phones in restaurants is everywhere. Cell phones allow access to anyone at anytime, but the consequences appear for those who are around the cell phone user. Not only do cell phones affect the conversation at the restaurant, but it also affects the conversations of everyone around the user, forcing the user to choose between his or her cell phone conversation or the public conversation at the restaurant.
The article “Grande WiFi: Social Interaction in Wireless Coffee Shops,” categorizes WiFi users in coffee shops. The “true mobiles” are the people that go to the cafes to be more productive, spending their time on-line or working, not socially interacting. The second group is the “place makers.” These people go to the cafes for the social experience. It is hard to say that the “true mobiles” are actually doing work, or they may be connecting to a larger social network on-line. I believe that more research is required to examine how people use the internet in cafes.
Questions: Does the cell phone strengthen pre-existing ties?
Has cell phone etiquette increased, meaning, are cell phone users more aware of the disruptions of the cell phone? Are they taking action by placing their phones on silent in order to experience the public space?
Comments (3)
In response to your second question, I’ve observed that there’s a direct connection between ones experience with the cell phone, and his etiquettes with the cell phone. So if a person has been using the cell phone sense the mid-nineties, it is more than likely that if his phone interrupts others it’s because he’s naturally disruptive, not caring about other’s feelings, rather than he simply forgot to turn the phone on vibrate. I also observe that young children who are new to cell phones are often surprised when the phone rings loudly while in class or a quite environment, this is because they are new to this type of technology. While in Egypt, a place where the cell phone is not as widespread as in America, I’ve noticed that people would actually allow their cell phones to ring, letting everyone know that they have a cell phone, often considered a sign of status. So as people become more accustomed to the presence of the cell phone, etiquette will improve, and it won’t have the same stigma, and negative connotation attached to it.
Posted by Warith Deen | October 15, 2006 2:44 PM
Posted on October 15, 2006 14:44
In response to your first question, I respond by pointing out that just this weekend I spoke with two of my closest high school friends, after having being disconnected for years. It was amazing; the cell phone was a tool that strengthened pre-existing ties. Many people, even if they change thier address, keep the same cell number. This allows social ties to always exist. So even after years of not speaking to a friend, the cell phone allows communications to occur wherever you are, whether at Penn, or even in Cairo, of course with new international technology. Years ago, it would have been difficult to simply call a person in the same state with a different area code, but now the area code has little relevance to the cell phone. Interestingly enough, I know people who don’t even respond to their home phone, using it only as a number for bill collectors, and the cell phone is the number that’s used for important calls. As this becomes the norm, we’ll see pre-existing ties strengthened. Even when a person’s away from home, he can still contact a friend. This, if we reflect, has tremendous benefits.
Posted by Warith Deen | October 15, 2006 3:25 PM
Posted on October 15, 2006 15:25
I think your statements about cell phones’ potential to strengthen pre-existing relationship is absolutely applicable and worthy of discussion. In response to your question, I think the cell phone is instrumental in strengthening social ties that people already have. Goldberg is resolutely dedicated to his opinion that cell phones are harming social interaction and connections between people in public spaces, and he does not even acknowledge the option that cell phones might in fact have positive benefits such as strengthening our existing networks. As discussed in previous weeks, the internet is a very beneficial way to increase social ties among users and is very adept at maintaining social relationships across geographic distances. It is my opinion that cell phones are even more useful and better suited to preserving such long distance relationships. As demonstrated by the results of my and many of my classmates survey findings from Assignment 2, many Penn students feel that phone interactions are more intimate than internet conversations, whether by email or instant messaging. Because of its more intimate nature, I would think that people would be better able to maintain and strengthen existing relationships over their cell phones because it allows for a greater sense of personal and emotional connection since you can hear the other person’s voice and emotion being expressed. Personally, I am much separated from my home friends and family and don’t get to see them often. Though I use both cell phones and internet to keep in touch with these people, I much prefer using my cell phone to speak with them because of its more intimate nature. Though cell phones probably do prompt people interact less in public places and on streets, they are extremely instrumental in maintaining previous ties and thus have great social benefit in my opinion.
Posted by g42 | October 16, 2006 11:46 PM
Posted on October 16, 2006 23:46