For the past several weeks, and what seems like months, we have written stories and posted letters in our comments section regarding the cellphone tower located near the elementary school downtown.
Again this week we’re running a letter from a resident commending one individual for taking the time to conduct his own research into the matter.
The time spent by both sides is warranted because everyone is concerned with health and the health of their children. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with researching new technology and making sure our kids are safe from it.
This safety aspect is important, however, one of the very real threats, one that doesn’t necessarily require data or research from a government or independent body, has not been covered through reporting or comments we have received.
Adults, teenagers and even kids have cellphones. They use them for talking, texting, reading, playing games and staying up to date with the latest on what’s happening, or not happening, in the world.
New technology has allowed this to happen and it will only increase as more powerful devices and sophisticated applications enter the hands of future generations of humans essentially bred to use them.
It’s a bit cynical to flat out oppose new technology because, like art or fashion, technology is never finished. The way in which we use it and rely on it daily, however, is something everyone should be cognizant of.
Cellphones are handy when you’re standing in line during the morning rush at Beamer’s or Evelyn’s or waiting for a train to go by or when used as a distraction when editing copy after 30 or so pages pass by your desk.
It’s easy to peek down at your phone and check the weather, answer a text message or even read one of our articles (our mobile site launched a few months ago, FYI).
But there’s a point where our cellphones become permanently attached to our hands by some profound new type of superglue that’s not even on the market yet. Before we start blaming cellphone companies on that one, take a moment to think about why we have such an addiction to hand-held devices.
Similar to the point made in the book review and interview one of our reporters did in the Mountain Guide section (page 35), it’s becoming crystal clear some people are addicted to their cellphone and, as a result, a slave to technology.
That’s not to say having a powerful cellphone is all bad because it’s not. Modern cellphones, commonly called Smartphones, can help you with direction (physically speaking) and provide limitless amounts of educational information, among other things.
Checking Twitter, Facebook or other social media outlets may be a hobby, but needing to do so whilst walking down the street not paying attention to where you’re going, is probably not the best use of time.
We don’t have to remind everyone what beautiful towns we live in because of our surroundings, but that beauty also lies in the people who encompass it and furthermore the interactions and events that take place every day, every second.
It’s not just here. It could be in Calgary, British Columbia, down south or overseas. As mentioned earlier about technology or fashion never being finished, people have the ability as well to never stop moving and exploring. But it’s much more interesting to see for yourself than through a touch screen.
