Cell phones

There are many good things about technology but sometimes I wish some of what we have didn't exist. Cell phones being the prime example. I resisted getting one for years. I really don't feel the need to be in constant contact with the rest of the world. Nor do I feel the need for the rest of the world be be able to contact me at any time. I realize that I am a member of a different generation than today's youth who find the idea of not being connected horrifying, and as such have tried to keep my feelings somewhat to myself. Both Caleb and Dan have cell phones. Actually I am not sure why they are called phones at all. They are really just mobile texting devices, which brings me to the point here. I have been shocked to find out what Dan has been texting. The manner that he talks to girls (well, one girl) is rude, hurtful, and profane. When confronted with this, he merely said, "well, at least I'm not saying it out loud." I just stared at him in shock. Does he really think that writing something rather than saying it is somehow more appropriate? Where did he get the idea that you can treat a girl that way? Certainly not from me. He further went on to explain his profane language in subsequent texts to his friends in terms of being angry, "I was mad, I don't normally use those words, I was just mad." I really don't care how mad he was. What irks me most is that he apparently doesn't seem to understand what is so wrong about his actions. His argument to Michelle is that he has freedom of speech and should be allowed to say what he wants. He's right. He can say what he wants but freedom comes with rules. We are only truly free when we stay within certain bounds. When we stray outside those bounds, we are subject to the consequenses, which he is now experiencing. He has lost all use of his phone for the foreseeable future, among other things. What he really doesn't get is that if he had shown some remorse, his punishment would have stopped with the loss of his phone. Unfortunately for him, he just keeps digging the hole deeper and deeper. Perhaps someday he will grow up a bit. Perhaps someday he will be mature enough to use a cell phone appropriately. Until that day, he will not be seeing much of his friends either in person on by phone.