Cutting the cord: Are tech savvy people tying their own noose?

[JanMichael]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3606261/site/newsweek/

Politically that is. Since both parties rely heavily on telephone surveys is it conceivable that numbers like the ones below make these numbers worthless?

"The couple belongs to the growing number of cell-savvy Americans who, 125 years after Alexander Graham Bell set up the first local- telephone exchange, are abandoning their home land lines for good. In a recent report the Yankee Group, a research firm, reported that 4 percent of Americans say their wireless phone is their only phone, up from 3 percent last year. And that percentage was three times higher for adults under the age of 24. But what’s really got traditional local carriers concerned is that some 15 percent, or 6 million users, plan to “cut the cord” over the next five years."

OK, I know the youngins' are probably more "wireless" than us old bastards but up until four months ago I, at age 35, was mobile only. I also worked with a tech guy who was 55 and he, and his wife, are wireless for the last three years. He was a a raging Lefty like myself.

Any thoughts on this development and how it might impact more Liberal/Left results over the coming years?

[apnu]

1. I dunno about how it will affect liberals but...

... cell phones are very ubiquitous. They are threatening to take the coveted spot of "most intrusive device" from the automobile in American society. (I can't speak for around the world, I haven't been out of the country since '82)

They are everywhere in urban environments. 10 seconds on the street in Chicago and I could count 15 cell phones at any given time. The cell phone is quickly becoming a cultural icon much like the CD in the late 1980's

What's interesting is the impact on our culture from this little contraption and how its affected the "personal bubble" in American culture. Its a weird device, culturally we aren't supposed to snoop on other people's business, but with the cell phone you can't help but hear the everything the person is saying. (usually because they are still talking loudly with the cell phone)

I've been quietly listening to people in public places to see what they are talking about. I've wondered whats so important that someone has to have a phone connection at all times. And what I've been hearing is mostly love-triangle gossip and other "romantic" subjects. I've heard more conversations about people's sex lives on the train than I'd care for.

The nice thing is that the cell phone puts people in instant contact, if we liberals can harness that power the our grass roots campaigns will be stronger and more aware.

Combine the cell phone with the Internet (see the cell / PDA hybrids) and whole new dimensions open up. Although, I bet when those items become the new thing for cell phones, people will use them to surf for porn most of the time.

[rednek_Liberal]

2. we were wireless only...

until voip became cheaper than oxygen...
but we haven't had a land line for 3 years.

[zbdent]

3. If there's any truth to that stuff about the cell phones

I'm gonna outlive most of the population of the US and Japan.

Beach party, my (formerly somebody else's) place.

[bleedingheart]

4. I will always keep a land line because it is the most reliable during

bad weather....

Cell phones are only for emergencies and to coordinate kid pickup...

[JanMichael]

5. OK, I know we all hate mobiles now, but what about polling?

Effect?

[curse10]

6. I'm wireless

haven't had a land line for over a year now-

but my repug parents still use dial up! and have TWO land lines! blech!

[Unperson 309]

7. Never Had A Celphone and I DON'T Plan To Start!

The rest of you can dance along at the end of your leashes and collars if you like.

Oh, I KNOW the leash is so thin and LIGHT and you hardly EVER notice it... until the collar jingles, or buzzes, or chirps or plays that catchy little tune... and you have to answer your leash!

I'm not domesticated, thank you. When I want to be wild and free, I turn on the machine and I go outside. NOBODY owns my time or my ear or my attention until *I* damn well want them to!

Dogs have collars and leashes. Wolves don't. So the next time someone wants a slice of MY time....... leave a message at the sound of the beep.

209

[AntiCoup2K4]

8. What leash? You can always turn it off!

Went totally wireless about three years after finally ending a 2 year billing dispute with Qwest (THE WORST FUCKING PHONE COMPANY IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE) And will never go back.

You can always turn a phone off. I consider it more of a "leash" to be tied to a psuedo-monopoly corporation that knows they can bill you whatever they want every month - accurate or not - because you have nowhere else to go.