Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Ben Stein

If you are only gong to see one movie this year, go and see Ben Stein’s “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.” Absolutely wonderful. Ben interviews several top scientists all over the world – the cream of the crop in evolutionary studies in biology, chemistry, geology and so on – and he asks all the questions that I have been wanting answers for since 1972. I’m sure you will find the answers as fascinating as I did.

Cell phones

There is young mother who regularly comes through my checkout line and I’ve never once seen her without her head cocked to one side, holding a cell phone between her ear and shoulder. She has a toddler at her side, usually tugging at her shirt tail saying, “Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?” steadily turning up the volume with each repetition. There is a baby in the cart’s baby seat, who needs help with her bottle, so Mommy is using one hand to hold it for her. She talks into the phone while she unloads her groceries with the other hand. She finishes one conversation and speed dials the next person while saying to the toddler, “Just a minute, Miranda.” She swipes her debit card and enters her PIN while leaving a message for someone who didn’t pick up. While I scan, bag and load her groceries back into her cart, she sends a text message. As soon as she’s done with that, she takes an incoming call. I don’t mean to eavesdrop, but I can’t help overhearing her say, “Can I call you right back? I’m getting another call.” She continues her cell phone conversations as she pushes her loaded grocery cart toward the door, with Miranda still imploring, “Mommy? Mommy?...” She’s never once looked up at me, or had any semblance of a conversation with me. I guess she’s in close communications with everyone she needs to be, except the people right in front of her. I try not to be offended by it, though I do feel a little sorry for Miranda. I sure can’t see how she and her family benefit from owning a cell phone.

12 comments:

Sue said...

Recently, while stopped at a stop light, 6 vehicles went across the intersection in front of us. 3 of them were on their cell phones. Accidents just looking for a place to happen? Maybe.

Brooke said...

I talk on my cell phone all the time. However if i am ordering, checking out, or if someone is tryign to talk to me. I talk to that person and i tell the person i am talking to hold on because i am doing this or that. I am always polite to people that are in services. I do it and I hate when people are rude to me.

My #1 pet peeve as a server is when someone is to busy talking to someone else and not paying attention to there kids. Then the kids start throwing a fit. The parents act like nothing wrong.

Paul Nichols said...

Went to see "Expelled" last weekend. Can you believe, I dozed off somewhere in the middle. I watched the best part, tho.

Shirley said...

I am amazed at some of the things I have overheard people say on their phones. Like all the people around them want to know this stuff?

Bob & I need new phones, ours are not holding a charge very good any more. So while in the huge home improvement center, yesterday and trying to locate eachother, the most anyone heard us saying was 'can you hear me now?'

Scarlet said...

It's funny, my mother and I were having a conversation about technology yesterday and cell phones came up. The scene you described here is much too common; I see a lot of little Mirandas in Miami, and it breaks my heart. If it's not the cell phone, it's the computer. Sad, isn't it?

Jamie Dawn said...

That lady ought to have the cell phone surgically attached to her shoulder. It would free up an extra hand. She's tooooo busy!! Even for her own kid.
That's too sad.

My daughter and I and her boyfriend went to see Expelled. I agreed with the point of the movie, but I found it to be somewhat boring. I made it a point to see Al Gore's diatribe flick and a couple of Michael Moore's documentaries. Those kept my attention better even though I did not agree with their premises or points of view. Expelled made a great point though and exposed how intelligent thought and questions are being stifled when they don't fall within Darwinism. I feel this same way when it comes to questioning manmade global warming. Scientists, students, and everyday people should not feel ostracized for asking obvious questions and exploring other alternatives and theories. I hope a lot of people see Expelled, but I fear it won't be seen by the masses like Gore's was, and is. I would be THRILLED if Expelled was watched in schools by as many students as An Inconvenient Truth has been.

Ralph said...

While I love my cell phone - that is one of my pet peeves. The other morning trying to get a cup of coffee the lady ahead of me was talking on her phone and trying to order her breakfast and coffee. She wasn't do either one very well. So I looked at the waitress and in a fairly loud voice yelled, "What's the coffee of the day?" The lady slammed her cell phone shut, gave me a dirty look, and stormed out the store. The waitress said thank you and gave me coffee at no charge.
Cell phones - they can be a blessing or a curse.
Ralph

Jim said...

Have you been missing me? We've been to Ireland and back by way of NYC.

I like your CW Gospel Trio (Cliff M told us). Does it have a name? Please sing in the July 4th parade.
BTW, had better put in for that day off. Now that you are on the payroll doing things like that are important.

Next task for me is to develop new etiquite rules of cell phone operation for use in retail stores.
I already have them in place for restaurants:

NEW REVISED RULES OF CELL PHONE USAGE ETIQUETTE IN RESTAURANTS

1. Lay the phone on the table as soon as you sit down. This prevents so much annoyance to other patrons. Generally you can catch it on the first ring that way instead of fumbling through your pockets or purse to find the machine.
2. Talk no louder than you need. It is the loud cell phone talk that bothers other people. Besides loud talking disturbs others who are trying to use their cell phones.
3. Keep your conversation short.
4. Laugh quietly, not out loud! (LOL)
5. For an extended conversation or for more privacy go outside or to an unoccupied area.
6. Do not make unnecessary calls. A quick check on the kids, grandma, or your dog, and the like, is probably necessary now and then.
7. It is better to call while sitting in the restaurant than driving your car. This goes especially for text messaging (unless you have memorized the key placement and routine--like you did in touch typing).
(c. jimmiehov 2007)
http://jimmiehov.blogspot.com/search?q=cell+phone+rules
(Not everyone likes these new rules.)
..

nora leona said...

I used to work in a coffeehouse. Some folks would listen to their work voice mail or something in line and that was always fine with me. I appreciate mulit-tasking if that gave them time to get coffee.
That said, if someone was talking on their phone and not holding up the line, I'd just serve the next person.
I hate talking on the phone when I'm in a store or restaurant.

Cliff said...

All good stuff Janell. I'm not a fan of cell phones. There are some who shouldn't talk and drive. I've seen some who were ready to be turned into the police for drunk driving when I discovered they had a phone in their hand.

Jim said...

Sometime I will tell (blog) the time Mrs. Jim got stopped for drunk driving.
I used to go wild when someone was on the cell phone and driving, now I tolerate it. Just stay out of the fast lane unless you can drive fast and talk the same time.
..

Jamie Dawn said...

I hope you've had a good weekend.
Mine was busy, but good.

:-)