Cell phone analysis

The frustration that Wilbur and many other users feel toward their cell phones led us to further explore the negative aspects of using cell phones to communicate.

From an aesthetic point of view, cell phones today are all typical, “boxy” in shape, and lack style. Cell phones are always improving features and usability, thus leading to such a high turnover rate, which almost forces people to spend the money on the new phones. More issues include: cell phones are not always in their service range; battery must be charged every other day, cell phones are not durable, thus why there are so many “protective cases” sold to suit them, people depend on their phones, without them they can feel lost, and lastly there have been studies done, that cell phones cause accidents, as a result of this, laws have been passed in Washington D.C. that citizens are not allowed to use cell phones while driving.

Some insight we gained along the way refered to “The axemakers gift.” Which is the story of an axemaker who introduces an axe to a preliterate society, who still use rocks and stones to accomplish their daily tasks, and how that axe with change the dynamic of their everyday lives. Their way of life is not the same after the new cultural “meme” takes hold. The cell phone can be seen as the axe in this case, changing our way of life, and even changing our laws.

Takeaways:

• Boxy
  
• High turnover rate
  
• Not always in service when you need it
  
• Battery life is limited
  
• Constantly charging
  
• Binding service plans
  
• Break when dropped from pocket
  
• Not durable, screen scratches
  
• Bad volume adjusters
  
• Cause accidents (car)
  
• Easy to forget or leave because they are so small
  
• People feel lost without their phone
  
• Emotionally affects people