Cell phones have become an Appendage

     The cell phone was an amazing invention.  Suddenly, we were able to connect with almost anyone at anytime.  The business world opened up, with less travel and more conferences via satellite.  Families could easily chat with one another, with less cost, and greater distance.  The transformation to fast communication was utterly astounding and quick.  In no time, we all owned cell phones at almost every age.  The phenomonem was quite hurried and striking.  Quite soon thereafter, we were emailing, texting, and accessing the internet through our various phones. 
      No doubt, the world changed.  No doubt, the cell phone became a part of our every day lives.  But, within all their usefulness, and communicative delivery, they have also become an interference in every day living.  They have become and appendage to our fingertips.  They have become an utter need, much like drinking water.  They have become something in which we cannot live without.
     Here is the problem....human contact, voice inflection, and regular conversations are being replaced by small screens and hyphenated words.  People cannot commit to shopping, eating, or visiting without the interruption of a cell phone.  We are grasping at, looking down at, or typing on our black box. 
     The point is this... I don't want to hear you gossiping on your phone while I shop.  I don't need to listen to you babble on about your neighbor, your stocks, or the teacher who gave your kid a bad grade.  I do not want to have lunch with you while you spend half of your time reviewing your messages.  I am not interested in the score of your child's game, or the blow by blow innings from the person who happens to be watching.  I prefer not to hear your phone ringing while at church for a mere hour.  And, I would rather you stop at the red light, instead of chatting into your hand. 
     The fact remains that much of our cell phone conversations are not truly necessary at the moment.  A great amount of texting is meaningless information which can be discussed normally at a later time.  If we were all honest with ourselves, we would realize that we utilize our phones excessively.  More importantly, we are losing contact with real people in real life.  We used to be able to "read" someone's eyes to get a certain point of view.  We once understood that hand movements might add to a discussion.  We could clearly feel the presence of another while conversing.  Reactions were better understood and more meaningful.  Simply put, the human to human contact gave off more than mere words. 
     Technology is a grand thing!  And, the modern world is filled with advancements which alleviate certain struggles.  The cell phone invention has aided each one of us in quick connectivity.  But, we must remember that we are not self important every second of the day.  Clearly we can admit that most of our texting and phone conversations do not have to be so immediate.  We can choose to chat for an hour with people across the table without grasping for a message.  We can surely get through part of our day without needless gossip and soccer scores.  Afterall, people were meant to sit together in order to laugh, talk, and learn from one another.  The cell phone is beginning to undermine the purpose and the real meaning behind being human.