Bell's Phone Patent Turns 137 - Today, 6 Bil Cell's in Use!

[JRNYMAN]

Saw this factoid on CBS's morning news show and had to stop to let that number sink in. 6 Billion cell phones in use worldwide.... Isn't the global population somewhere between 6-7 billion people? That means there are places without running water in villages that have no roads in or out who's residents have cell phones. Sorta puts things in perspective.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50142363n

[Rick]

Saw this factoid on CBS's morning news show and had to stop to let that number sink in. 6 Billion cell phones in use worldwide.... Isn't the global population somewhere between 6-7 billion people? That means there are places without running water in villages that have no roads in or out who's residents have cell phones. Sorta puts things in perspective.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50142363n

That's a jarring number. Damn.

My wife is a great woman, but she hates everyone being to themselves on their devices. She prefers the family all together in the living room, either playing games or watching tv. I can see the attraction to her "Leave it to Beaver" idealism, as it's a good one. And maybe all of this connectivity is a phase that will wear itself out once the world realizes that everyone else is just as boring as they are. And then all will be well in my wife's world again.

[slucero]

I had a career in Silicon Valley in the 90's where I was tethered to a cell phone.. I ditched my cell 2 years ago...

happy as a fucking clam..

[Rick]

I had a career in Silicon Valley in the 90's where I was tethered to a cell phone.. I ditched my cell 2 years ago...

happy as a fucking clam..

No cell phone at all?

[slucero]

I had a career in Silicon Valley in the 90's where I was tethered to a cell phone.. I ditched my cell 2 years ago...

happy as a fucking clam..

No cell phone at all?

Just a prepaid phone for emergency calls..

Cell phones really didn't become prevalent until the mid 90's... I had to have one when i was working gin Silicon Valley.. when they were still only phones.. I got along fine before that without one..

I have no need to be connected all the time.. when I need info, or need to make a call I just open my laptop, find a free wifi connection and use Skype.