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Editorial
For the week of August 16 through 22, 2000

Electronic despot


Parents teach their children from a young age that screaming, burping, passing gas, and spitting are rude and socially unacceptable behaviors.

Today, there are new kinds of rude to add to the list: Talking loudly on a cell phone in close quarters, talking on a cell phone when driving, or allowing a cell phone to interrupt a face-to-face meeting with someone.

It’s amazing that adults who can recognize rude behavior in a child at 100 yards, can’t see their own. The same adults who would whisk a crying child out of a quiet restaurant or concert, who would blush and offer excuses for body noises, often see no problem when their cell phone rings or blasts an obnoxious tune in the middle of a concert, a movie, a quiet restaurant or a quiet beach.

The electronic intrusion has reportedly driven some to exchange road rage for phone rage. True story or urban legend, the contraptions are obnoxious, even dangerous.

Seeing a driver attempt to change lanes, shuffle papers on the dash and talk on the phone all at the same time is to discover the meaning of the phrase "fear and loathing." Check out Ketchum’s Main Street at noon any weekday for a firsthand experience.

We applaud the local restaurants and bars in town that demand that cell phones be turned off or checked at the door. A state law prohibiting drivers from operating cell phones unless the car is parked is long overdue. Only basic courtesy will take care of the rest.

Cell technology has freed many office workers from the tyranny of the wall plug. Yet, until users control it, the cell phone will remain an electronic despot, a visitor most unwelcome in welcoming places.

 

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