I won't mince words: I hate cell phones. I have never seen an object give people such an inflated idea of their own self worth. Like a magic ring of power it tends to corrupt even the purest of heart into Cellular-Nazgul:



Fortunately, they are not inherently evil, just rude. Perhaps it is just me and my low tolerance level, but I find that:
- trying ring tones in a public place
- talking on them in restaurants
- using them on during a concert/movie/performance
are some of the rudest forms of behavior still tolerated.

Owning a tool that allows you to be individually contacted must mean that your words are valuable. Insufficient self worth is a problem today. Many people suffer from feeling insignificant and worthless, and cell phones can make them feel wanted and useful. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but the typical outward manifestation is unwelcome.

Legislating cell phone behavior will never happen (and banning them in cars is certainly not working). The only thing that will make a difference is some kind of appeal to human decency, and that will only go so far.