Cell phones and civic involvement

To most people, cell phones are a must-have item for navigating modern life, but the use of cell phone has introduced an array of new annoyances into our culture, even spawning a funny public service announcement shown at many movie theaters featuring "Inconsiderate Cell Phone Man":

The courtesy-clueless star, Bob, known as the "Inconsiderate Cell Phone Man," is described as a laughable loudmouth who uses his phone at the wrong place and time such as a wedding, a court room, a group therapy session and, of course, in a theater.

This wouldn't be funny if it wasn't so true-to-life. One of the reasons I don't generally mind air travel is that I don't have to listen to people yammering on their cell phones at 30,000 feet. Cell phones can make train travel on something like the Acela Express a bit annoying -- flaky cell phone reception and a fast-moving train means a lot of "HEY, I'M LOSING YOU. LET ME CALL YOU BACK." and the old stand-by, "I'M ABOUT TO GO INTO A TUNNEL."

All that being said, I had a cell phone moment this morning that was akin to my holiday "bluetooth to the rescue" experience when I used my Bluetooth phone and PowerBook to help a harried couple find their rental car reservation. As I was walking into work this morning, a woman stopped me on the street and asked if I knew how to get to a particular address. I told her that I didn't, but then remembered that I had my Treo in my pocket with MapQuest bookmarked in my web browser (the MapQuest PDA version URL for maps is http://www.mapquest.com/pda/maps.adp, and http://www.mapquest.com/pda/directions.adp for directions). I pulled out the Treo and told her I would help her find her way to her destination, and in a couple of minutes, she was on her way -- walking backwards towards her destination, looking back in my direction exclaiming, "that is so cool! Thanks! That is so, so cool! THANKS!" A nice way to start a Friday.

The simple act of giving directions might just be the foundation of civic involvement -- if you have a cell phone or wireless device with web capabilities, bookmark MapQuest. The next time someone asks you for directions, you'll know how to get that person where they need to go. It's a good feeling. Cell phones can be sublime.

Posted by Chad Dickerson at July 30, 2004 10:42 AM