Rheingold

In chapter one, I found the information about the "thumb tribes" very interesting. The teens in Tokyo are using text messaging as a form of rebellion and independence. Being that the majority of their parents are very involved in their lives, text messaging has given them more freedom and privacy then ever before. So in one aspect this is a positive result of text messaging as I feel it extremely important for teens to feel as though they have some sort of independent privacy. But in another aspect this texting may turn children away from oral communication and they may lack social skills as they get older. Their thumbs may end up strong and quick but intellectually this could cause many problems. These teens need to not only rely on texting as a form of communication and must continue speaking to people face to face as well.

What will come of everyone's reliance on cell phones in the future? For one I think that cell phones add extra stress to everybody's lives as people feel "naked" if they don't have their cell phone in their pocket or in a purse with them. In the future, this may cause a rise in anxiety in people all over the world. Constantly talking, texting, and being in contact with people decreases alone time and privacy which will eventually cause you to be completely stressed out. For example, when I am at the gym I see people talking and texting on their cell phones while they are on a machine. Exercising is supposed to relieve stress and help you clear your mind but our constant use of cell phones has started to ruin this as well. Although these means of communication have become conveniant, I feel that they have inevitable harmful effects that we will begin noticing in the near future.