Monday, March 31, 2008

A brand new phobia


Apart from rising concerns about the possible long term effects of mobile phone usage on health we now have a brand new one "nomo-phobia"

Nomo-phobia is the fear of being phoneless

Nomo-phobia was a real phenomenon for many people we are told after a recent survey.

"We're all familiar with the stressful situations of everyday life such as moving house, break-ups and organising a family Christmas, but it seems being out of mobile contact may be the 21st century's contribution to our already manic lives," .

Being phoneless and panicked is a symptom of our 24/7 culture.

Men were more likely than women to be affected by losing mobile phone contact, with 48 per cent of women and 58 per cent of men admitting to feelings of anxiety.

More than 20 per cent of the 2,163 people questioned said they never switched off their mobiles, and one in 10 said their job required them to be contactable at all times.

Some 55 per cent cited keeping in touch with friends or family as the main reason for being wedded to their handsets and 9 per cent said having their phone switched off made them anxious.

Nomo-phobia recommends leaving loved ones an alternative contact number and making a back-up list of all contacts in case the phone is lost or stolen.

However nomo-phobia pales into insignificance compared to the potential problems that are likely to arise when airlines start allowing mobile phones to be used

The ban on mobile-phone use on planes has posed a problem for those who feel the need to be contactable.

And how about the other ninety percent who feel frustrated by morons talking endlessly on their phones?

But last month, Ofcom, the communications regulator, confirmed British airline passengers could, by next year, use mobiles on aircraft flying above 3,000m. The calls are likely to cost between £1 and £2 a minute.

Apparently the idea that most passengers will be upset, angry and inconvenienced by fellow passengers using mobile phones on flights is not an issue when airlines can make money from offering the service

Yet again we see money being the only criteria in making these decisions with the old excuse that "if we don't our competitors will" being trotted out

Mobile phones and their successor devices are likely to lead to more anxieties and at some point a backlash against their relentless intrusion into everyone's life

Which raises the question how do you use your mobile phone?

Or does it use you?

Are you a prisoner to it's ring tone?

Can you turn it off?

Be conscious of what it is doing to your life, both good and bad

Be the master of your phone!

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