Commenting on this is rather pointless, since cell phones aren't going away. But personally I can't think of a single device that has contributed more to the deterioration of common courtesy. Too many times have a seen drivers laughing and smiling and yakking away on their cell phones while their SUVs go careening back and forth through rush hour traffic. People insist on yakking away, sharing their private conversations with anyone in earshot, regardless of whether their in a restaurant or a grocery story or a movie theater. You can now be standing on a crowded streetcorner, and everyone will be talking at once, but NO ONE will be talking to each other. I have seen cell phones turn too many otherwise normal people into complete blithering idiots. And don't EVEN get me started on those blinking blue Borg thingies people have attached to their ears! Sorry, I just don't need to be that connected.

I was the first kid at my high school to ever get a cell phone way back in '97. But I really haven't kept up with the times because today my wife and I share one cell phone. Sometimes I'll take it and sometimes she'll take it. Our arrangement works great, saves us money, and it allows me to get away every once in a while where no one can reach me.