Great convenience, properly used. However:

... I don't want to hear half a conversation at the supermarket, or even SEE half a conversation involving another driver on the road. It's a matter of common courtesy or even public safety.

Maybe you could call someone that can drive that car for you, since you're obviously too pre-engaged and distracted to safely do it yourself. Shut up and drive.

Maybe you could retreat to some area ( we used to have phone booths ) and lower your voice so you don't burden the rest of the world with: " ... Honey, do we need any phukinstoopidkwestions?"

... Nobody EVER needs to hear any phukinstoopidkwestions like that.

problem with cell phones (course i have one) is you get too dependant on them as in using
for a phone book,, etc. etc.

I liked these things better when it was an elitist thing. Now that everyone has one- it's totally ghettoized and a nightmare. No one talks to anyone anymore. No one pays attention anymore. Everyone feels that they have a right to pollute the air with their conversation.

When I was an intern there were three 'office' phones and it was far cooler to try (and fail) to impress the lass on the subway by pretending to be somewhat important in the scheme of things-

(talking to no one) "What? WHAT? You get the deal DONE! You BULLDOZE those Native-American Senior-Citizens off that land and build my CASINO NOW!" (trying to be like Alec Baldwin in 'Glengarry Glen Ross')

Cell phones even out because they help keeping in touch with loved ones and business interests. But people are now more wrapped up in themselves and paying attention to less than ever before.

They give you brain cancer! Aaahhhhhhh!

Cell phones are an awesome invention, and almost everyone has one. However there is a time and place, I don't think that you should be on the phone when you are driving a vehicle....... pull off the road and make your call

I like the fact you can be reached any where at any time,  but its getting rediculous, the things that they can do.   The prices for some of them is rediculous too. JUST BUY A COMPUTER.

Driving and Talking on the cell phone

Helpful to use for emergencies and other important matters. Not so helpful when using it (while driving) to chit-chat with friends about the latest juice.

They are definitely helpful. As long as one respects certain circumstances, liek time with family, doctor's offices, hospitals, and driving. Which is their own personal decision. Then Cell phones, are safe, and even very helpful in an emergency situations. For example, if your wife goes into labor, and you're at adepartment store. She could call you, and you can rush home.

Nobody cares about your BFF

I remember when cellphones were just for emergencies..Now cellphones have replaced body parts...Cellphones are messing up relationships and friendships..If you're out spending quality time with a friend then you should turn off your damn phone and be considerate...Plus I don't want to be outside and hear someone's damn conversation on their phone..Talk short on your cellphone...then go home and talk longer where your conversation will be more private..Also people please stop taking pictures on your phone and sending it to people..if your nude pictures end up on the net then its your own damn fault

Excellent for quickly contacting someone in case of emergency, or just chatting with a friend via text message when you can't make a phone call. Can be harmful if used while driving, though...

Bad because - it's frying your brain! I don't care what "they" say.
Also, the "big brother" issue. The only person who should know where you are at all times is God!
Good because - of many reasons.

well..it can be good, and it can be bad, depending..

convient yes...provides some safety and security...but again...communication- real - face to face- has declined as technology increased. Texting..email...etc...do you write letters anymore?? and public phone calls are rude and annoying...keep it at home.

I HATE CELL PHONES! not that people didn't ignore me before, but now people who didn't ignore me do ore me

when people are rude by talking on them while checking out, or ordering in a restaurant...or texting while driving...they are fine. When I travel alone I like the security it gives me.

Along with the internet one of the greatest inventions in the world today. Immagine going back to a world with no cell phones.

Just barely balances out. Just barely. Just.

great for unappected times

They can be helpful but quite honestly, I managed to survive for many years without one. It is one of those cases where spoiled Americans don't know the difference between luxury and necessity. They should ban you being able to talk on a cell phone while you are driving.

Cell phones can be very helpful to society, as for instance, I had an emergency come up just recently, and had I not had one, it would have been a very difficult time.

Now as far as people driving down the road using their cell phones, most of the time for no good reason but to chit chat, can be very dangerous, and even fatal. It has been proved time and time again.

We live in a world where our ability to communicate exceeds our need to communicate by a factor of 10, at least.  There's nothing wrong with a cell phone.  They are decent affordable technology that have a useful purpose.  But there is something wrong with people who are blocking the aisles at the grocery store while talking to someone at home about which brand of paper towel is more absorbent.

I resisted carrying one for a long time, although now its the only phone I have.

I must say, however, that there are times I long for the halcyon days when it was possible to be unreachable.

THEY COOL..

I don't own one...never will but I think they are good if you are stranded or need help....but on the other side, people who talk/drive and cause accidents/death....then it sort of balances out.

Should be able to charge people that call *55 with stupid shit!

Without one you could be stranded with no help.

I think that cell phones help sociaty very very much. I dont see how they could possibly be hurting sociaty.

good-If your car breaks down or need directions.

Bad-makes people less sociable, especially when people are quiting jobs and breaking up in a texts!

Were on phones so much it's sometimes hard to pay attention to what and who is important

I do think its rude to talk on your phone when at a business. Hospitals, in front of a cashier, etc.

It is hard to get a hold of people yet there is a thing called respect

All my life I've wondered if/when they were going to come up with the idea(s) of mobile telephones and now that they're here, I can't imagine life without them. Being without them would be to take a huge step backward. Besides, they're tools which can help save lives.

couldnt live without mine

I consider them a necessary evil. I feel safer having one because if  I am in a tough spot I can always call for help. They're also convenient;I can actually remember the pre-cell phone age when you had to ask to use the phone.  The phone number was usually dialed for you,and you were given a dirty look. I' m not addicted to cell phones like some people are and I never use up all my minutes, but I am glad I have a cell.

Samsung M150

i hate the damn things! Calls are always out of range or are being dropped no matter which service I choose

LOVE IT!

Of course most of us carry one.They are super helpful,but not really necessary.We CAN live without them.

I feel alot safer driving with one!!

they are super convenient.

soo useful. but when someone doesn't pick up, my mind automatically fears the worst - that something bad has happened to them. and what's up with blaming/getting mad at people who missed your call? sometimes even missed calls don't show up...

Remember you can always turn the thing off.

UPDATE:  I am starting to see signs advertising cell phone free areas in certain places.  Nobody will be admitted with a cell phone or with one turned on.  Great idea.

ORIGINAL COMMENT:  I am beginning to think that these are the bane of my existence!

Like most technology, this is a two-edged sword. While improving our ability to share ideas and information faster, some people don't know when to hang up (and drive, among other things).

They add to the stupitity of teenagers.

When emergency strikes, cell phone is a necessary thing to have, but nowadays people abuse cell phones so much that the use of it becomes questionable.

Having a cell phone is a convenience and maybe even a luxury. But that doesn't mean that any moron should be allowed to talk and drive at the same time.

i don't know what it would be like to go back to using only house phones and pay phones. its convienent and it keeps you in touch at all times. the reason those on 9/11 were able to reach somebody before they perished was cuz of cel phones.