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Re:
Thanks, chuck. Believe it or not, I was actually half-expecting at least one person to disagree with me, for their own reasons. So far that hasn't happened, and I'm glad . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on September 12, 2014 at 6:02 AM
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I totally agrees with you 
posted by
Chuck_E_Ibrahim
on September 11, 2014 at 2:03 PM
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Re:
I have a feeling, Annicita, that my parents would have been the same way. They may have indulged us with a very simplistic phone to have on us in case of extreme emergencies, but that would have been about it. What would have made it worse, of course, is that there were six of us, and those damned phones are expensive! There's no way we each would have gotten one . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on September 11, 2014 at 8:08 AM
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Re:
You paint a pleasant picture, Kabu, one which both my wife and I miss terribly! Yesteryear used to be so simple. We had various appliances and devices back then, but we only used them when we actually needed them! And like I wrote, we also never felt compelled to carry any one of them around with us all day! Now, people will make others feel out-of-place if you don't carry around a smart phone all day! Don't worry . . . my Free-Thinking Non-Conformist attitude is very much alive and well . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on September 11, 2014 at 8:06 AM
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Re: JimmyA
I hope not too, Bill. I'm sure this particular epidemic is world-wide by now, and I would hate to think of Jersey becoming the "idiots-on-a-smart-phone-all-day" capitol . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on September 11, 2014 at 8:03 AM
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Re:
It's amazing, FSI, and incredibly unbelievable! Why do so many people feel the need to be in constant contact with at least one other person at all times whenever they are out and about? And of course, if you were to actually say anything to any of these people, you know what kind of response you're going to get! Probably something along the lines of "F*** off! Mind your own business!" What a society we currently live in . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on September 11, 2014 at 8:01 AM
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Re:
I hate to sound vicious, C C T, but a small part of me hopes that something detrimental happens to these smart phone abusers! Perhaps their hands and fingers begin to misshapen because of holding it too long, or else they get some kind of tumor on the sides of their heads from overuse. I know that sounds a bit harsh, but as far as I'm concerned, it would be 'just desserts' for annoying the rest of us for so long! At least drug addicts stay indoors and don't publicly display their ridiculous addictions . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on September 11, 2014 at 7:58 AM
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Re:
It is indeed, lovelylady! And I understand what you're saying completely. My wife and I often muse of what life would have been like when we were kids and smart phones were as prevalent as they are today. Not only would I doubt that either of our parents would allow us to own one, but if they did, its uses would have been severely limited! Is it me, or does each generation keep getting worse and worse with this stuff . . . ? 
posted by
JimmyA
on September 11, 2014 at 7:53 AM
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Re: Jimmy
Well, Naut, if you consider your 'two-year old' phone to be an antique, then my phone would have to be considered something along the lines of an archeological ruin ( it's ten years-old! ). No picture-taking abilities, no internet accessibility . . . just a phone! And I understand what you think the cartoonist may have been trying to convey, but I think such subtleties are too keen for the average reader. I'm sure many people viewing that same panel saw nothing unusual whatsoever with each of those kids carrying a smart phone on their way to school . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on September 11, 2014 at 7:51 AM
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i refused to get my kids phones...once they could afford on their own they got one
posted by
Annicita
on September 11, 2014 at 4:15 AM
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I find it really crazy. I guess being a loner and a lover of time to dream and think about stories, the thought of spending all day being interrupted by the phone would drive me crazy. I actually don't care if my family and few friends are off to lunch or having a problem at work or are wondering if I am out of bed yet. Give me a break!! To me this instant communication is worthless and actually stops people from communicating. We road our bikes to school when we were little kids and talked and sang and enjoyed each others company all the way. not single file Zombie fashion phone in hand.
posted by
Kabu
on September 10, 2014 at 6:36 PM
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JimmyA
I hope that New Jersey won't become a state of zombie with editorials in a Jersey paper like that Jimmy.
posted by
BC-A
on September 10, 2014 at 3:57 PM
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I have noticed that, too, with some people holding their smartphones in a hand, even if the phone is not being used. It is amazing how attached people are to those devices both literally and figuratively.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on September 10, 2014 at 11:45 AM
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Well they do say it is an addiction Jimmy, I suppose we will not know if it is harmful until twenty years have passed .
posted by
C_C_T
on September 10, 2014 at 9:47 AM
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I see this far too often myself, Jimmy, and it irritates me no end. Had I had children of my own, there is no way in unholy hell they would have cell phones or anything of the kind to entertain them...except, perhaps, on the weekends, and then only when their homework was finished!
You're right, that cartoon was just not the least bit amusing or funny. One of my favourite things to do as a kid was to read a book. It still is. What a pity and a crying shame parents no longer feel compelled to share this simple joy with their children. Instead, anything and everything, it seems, has become a kind of substitute parent and/or baby sitter. How pathetic and sad.
posted by
lovelyladymonk
on September 10, 2014 at 8:18 AM
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Jimmy
I would think the smart phones were part of the cartoonist's ironic comment on these 'zombies'...And I carry mine (two years old and hence an antique, LOL) in my pocket! It comes out only when I make or receive a call, though I will take a quick look at tomorrow's weather or the news when I'm in the can! And occasionally I will take a pic of Bennie when we're out and about...
posted by
Nautikos
on September 10, 2014 at 6:11 AM
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