The Logician's Nephew

By Pastor Niemoller

 
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.

This poems makes such an important social commentary even in our times.  It speaks about silence in times of injustice.  When someone, not yourself, is being treated unjustly, what do you do?  Do you sit idly by and watch as they fight alone.  Or do you fight for the rights of all people?  If you don’t fight for all rights, you’re neglecting to fight for your rights.  The rights of every man and woman are important, so stand up for what is right, instead of just what’s right for you.  Eventually, what’s right for you will be on the chopping block, what then?

Cell phones: They are great additions to our lives and make communication much more accessible.  Unfortunately, they’ve also made personal conversation impossible.  Cell phones at the start were a talk-only sort of deal and you payed for the minutes you used. So your contact with people was short enough to make plans to see them in person and have a personal conversation. Then that glorious text message thing came along which made communication a little more convenient when you were in a rush.  Then the addition of internet brought along many social networking applications with the phone. While all of these things have made our lives easier and more convenient, we have misused their abilities.  So I’ve come up with a list of rules for cell phone use, just simply to re-acquaint us with real-live people again.

1. When in a face to face conversation, do NOT ask the person standing there in front of you to hold on while you answer your text message or check your facebook. This makes me violent. Texts and facebook are designed to answer whenever the hell you wish, so have some courtesy and speak to the person who is physically there.  Also, if I am speaking, this is not an invitation to check your phone and completely ignore what I’m saying.                                                                                                                                           
2. Whether in a car with friends, on a date, just hanging out with friends or whatever realize that we don’t necessarily want to hear your conversation.  The appropriate thing to do is to check to see who it is first and then, after you’ve determined that it’s not a bill collector or your mother/significant other calling to nag, you may politely say, “Excuse me. I have to get this.” or some other courtesy.  Now since you have said, “Excuse me” if at all possible actually excuse yourself from the room/area to have your conversation.  Keep your conversation brief.  Remember that you are engaged in a social situation and that it is more natural to talk to real people than into a small candy bar shaped electronic device. After all, these people did actually invite you to be in their presence and engage in conversation with them…not your phone.                                                                                               
3. Silent does not mean vibrate.  We are advanced enough in our electronic skills to know how to set the difference. if you can send a picture, I promise you can figure this out.  It is not acceptable to hear that infernal buzzing in the middle of; a movie, class, a theatre show, dinner, etc. Silent means SILENT!                                                                                                                                                                                                   
4. Don’t use those damn blue-tooth headsets in public.  They make it awkward for everyone involved.  First off…you look like a friggin psychopath, talking to yourself and shit.  Secondly (and this has happened to everyone), how many times have you been walking through the mall or grocery store or any other public place and you hear someone talking, and there’s no phone, and no one else on your isle or whatever so it absolutely must be you they are talking to.  So naturally, you respond.  But oh wait.  They turn and there’s that damn blue-tooth thingy…how awkward do you feel now?  Really people…they only have their place in the car…otherwise stop being a lazy asshole and hold your phone.  They’re not that heavy.                                                                                                                                              
5. There are actual rules in dealing with people through the cellphone as well.  First, if I call you and you don’t answer, do not respond with a text message “hey what’s up.” That pisses me off.  If there was a serious reason as to why you could not answer the phone, I need that reason before you text anything else to me.  I called you so I could talk to you through the phone not through text. Secondly, realize when a text conversation is over.  I realize some people just don’t have a clue how to pick up on those signals, but if I’ve ignored your last 5 texts, it’s safe to assume our conversation is over.  Third, and most important, DO NOT….ABSOLUTELY DO NOT speak to someone else while I’m on the phone with you, particularly without the polite “can you hold on a sec?”  Nothing will make me hang up/kick your ass quicker than that.                                                                                                 
6. Know yourself.  If you are going into a situation (dinner, theatre, family gathering, etc.) and you know that you’re going to be tempted to look at your phone and break any of these previous rules, leave your phone in the car.  Remember there was a time that we lived without them so you will not die if you go without it for a few hours. Besides, you might find it refreshing to not have anyone interrupt your time…unplugging from the world is actually quite therapeutic.