THE VOICE
Phone tones illicit Pavlovian drool
The Voice of the Observer
Issue date: 12/4/07 Section: Observations
- Page 1 of 1
As the technology wave gains speed and height with the passing of time, the base of the wave that feeds into the crest becomes thinner and thinner.
This base, the human element to technology, threatens collapse as we become more and more dependant on technology.
A perfect warning sign of our dangerous digression and disconnect from the real world can be seen everyday on campus as students idle by each other on their respective cell phones.
Zero interaction and complete dependency on our abstract connected world of frequencies that transmit our everyday lives is reshaping the way that we understand society.
From the most personal conversations, to the need to flip through and text people when you don't know what to do with yourself.
As we technologically catch up to each other and accumulate these social crutches we allow big companies like Verizon and Sprint to take hold of our emotions and our involuntary responses.
We have digressed into a Pavlovian state where the sound of a certain ring tone can set off our emotions, increase heart rate or instill fear.
Because of the homogenization of our beloved instruments one person's phone can directly affect the people around them without warrant.
One person's pre-programmed in-phone ringtone could be another person's alarm ring tone who holds the same model phone; one might shoot up in fear, thinking they just slept through class.
Suddenly a phone call can illicit 'Pavlovian drool' from a complete stranger in earshot.
One person's "Fur Elise" ringtone for a new text message is another person's phone setting for a family member's call or a loved one.
Popular songs are sold for ringtone use, making way for yet another association to be made.
There are two kinds of cell phone holders: those that go all-out and buy the best model, and the other end of the spectrum- those who have the cheapest model, which is most likely a free one.
This means that it is probable that a lot of people have the same kind of phone and the same ring tones.
If we turned down the volume of the world and just let the cell phones ring, all we would hear would be ring tones and hearts palpitating responding this thumping and high-pitched annoying symphony that just adds to the clutter of noise and information that we inflict upon our bodies and minds day-in and day-out.
How can we collectively do something about this subliminal torture?
Turn off your ringers.
Leave your cell phones on vibrate.
For the really adventurous, leave your phone at home.
Surely whoever needs to speak you will eventually find you if they really want to instead of the normal bells and whistles via cell phone.
This base, the human element to technology, threatens collapse as we become more and more dependant on technology.
A perfect warning sign of our dangerous digression and disconnect from the real world can be seen everyday on campus as students idle by each other on their respective cell phones.
Zero interaction and complete dependency on our abstract connected world of frequencies that transmit our everyday lives is reshaping the way that we understand society.
From the most personal conversations, to the need to flip through and text people when you don't know what to do with yourself.
As we technologically catch up to each other and accumulate these social crutches we allow big companies like Verizon and Sprint to take hold of our emotions and our involuntary responses.
We have digressed into a Pavlovian state where the sound of a certain ring tone can set off our emotions, increase heart rate or instill fear.
Because of the homogenization of our beloved instruments one person's phone can directly affect the people around them without warrant.
One person's pre-programmed in-phone ringtone could be another person's alarm ring tone who holds the same model phone; one might shoot up in fear, thinking they just slept through class.
Suddenly a phone call can illicit 'Pavlovian drool' from a complete stranger in earshot.
One person's "Fur Elise" ringtone for a new text message is another person's phone setting for a family member's call or a loved one.
Popular songs are sold for ringtone use, making way for yet another association to be made.
There are two kinds of cell phone holders: those that go all-out and buy the best model, and the other end of the spectrum- those who have the cheapest model, which is most likely a free one.
This means that it is probable that a lot of people have the same kind of phone and the same ring tones.
If we turned down the volume of the world and just let the cell phones ring, all we would hear would be ring tones and hearts palpitating responding this thumping and high-pitched annoying symphony that just adds to the clutter of noise and information that we inflict upon our bodies and minds day-in and day-out.
How can we collectively do something about this subliminal torture?
Turn off your ringers.
Leave your cell phones on vibrate.
For the really adventurous, leave your phone at home.
Surely whoever needs to speak you will eventually find you if they really want to instead of the normal bells and whistles via cell phone.
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