[samtheman]

The technologies I listed all had their detractors claiming that mankind or civilization was grievously harmed by the innovations of the day.

If it walks like a Luddite, talks like a Luddite...

[central_va]

I think using a cell phone or i-phone in public should be consider a social tabu. Find a spot away from the public to talk or text.

[driftless2]

Few people (except maybe for the writer of this article) are against new technology. But if I visited your home to have a chat with a friend and you spent your time glued to the tv set and not conversing, would you say my visit was ill spent?

I have a cell phone (not a smart phone) which I use about once a month. It has a texting capability which I would have to pay for, so I've never used it.

It is highly amusing to me to see people walk into a restaurant, sit down, pull out their smart phones, and fiddle with the thing while ignoring the other people at the table. My wife and I have seen that scenario many times.

Wouldn't it be better for people to converse and interact with each rather than stare at and fiddle with some electronic object while ignoring their dinner partners? Maybe it's a generational thing.