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Total entries in this category: 51
Published On: Mar 07, 2006 03:02 PM
Total entries in this category: 51
Published On: Mar 07, 2006 03:02 PM
The end of time as we know it
I don't like to make predictions, but if this one
comes true, remember that you heard it here first.
Cellphones are extremely popular in China, much
more so than the United States. Every self-respecting yuppie has one of course,
but so do teachers, shopkeepers, market vendors, and delivery men. Even
students, who are so cheap they will eat in the lousy cafeteria every day to
save the extra kuai it would cost them to eat good food in a restaurant,
willingly spend 30 or 50 kuai a month for cell phone service. They're considered
indispensable.
On the other hand, fewer people in China wear a wristwatch. When they want to know the time, they just look at their phones. My teacher places her cell phone on the lectern to keep track of class time. I traveled with a guy who used his cellphone as an alarm clock. Why not?
So I'm expecting, OK, predicting, that within a generation, cellphones will become the new timepiece, and wearing a wristwatch will be seen as something quaint like carrying a pocket watch.
As a guy who has never worn a wristwatch, (but who did once carry a pocket watch) I generally favor this trend. But I've also never owned a cellphone. Can I interest anyone in public sundials?
On the other hand, fewer people in China wear a wristwatch. When they want to know the time, they just look at their phones. My teacher places her cell phone on the lectern to keep track of class time. I traveled with a guy who used his cellphone as an alarm clock. Why not?
So I'm expecting, OK, predicting, that within a generation, cellphones will become the new timepiece, and wearing a wristwatch will be seen as something quaint like carrying a pocket watch.
As a guy who has never worn a wristwatch, (but who did once carry a pocket watch) I generally favor this trend. But I've also never owned a cellphone. Can I interest anyone in public sundials?
Posted: Mon - December 15, 2003 at 09:00 AM