
Originally Posted by
french frank
... how swiftly human beings have become addicted (probably in a serious, clinical sense) to their phones. Slaves even.
A not irrelevant article here: http://news.sky.com/home/technology/article/16147572

Originally Posted by
french frank
And don't take it out with you unless you think YOU will need it.
At the same time, you don't always know in advance whether or not you will need in, as it can be invaluable in the event of an unforeseen emergency.
Even though I need mine all the time for business reasons, it's rarely if ever on anything other than silent / vibrate mode.
The only exception recently was almost a horror which might have impacted upon many here. I was invited to a box for the Philharmonia Prom conducted by Salonen last summer. Work delayed me and as I pedalled to the hall, I needed to hear and take a call which duly happened (I stopped to take the call - for the cycling safety vigilantes...
). But as I was late, I hastened on after and made it to the RAH with seconds to spare (orchestra on platform, Salonen not yet on, when I arrived). During the brisk Introduction of the 'Age of Gold' Suite I suddenly realised that I hadn't reset the phone and that if it went off, the world would hear my Bach C major Toccata BWV564 ring tone. The quiet slow second movement was torture. I couldn't get from the corner of the box to where my jacket was, without causing disturbance.
When the Shostakovich finished and I could get to the phone, I muted it and collapsed with a glass of something...
Afterwards, I noticed that a call had come in....about 5 minutes after I had silenced it
"The isle is full of noises... Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not"
The Tempest, Act III scene 2 ll 148-9