I am old enough to remember growing up in Los Angeles without complete use of our telephone. We had a ‘party line,’ where at least two families shared the same phone access. If my car was in for repairs, or I was waiting to hear from a doctor, I had to sit home and wait for the call. In the 1980’s, AT&T sent me two cellular phones. They were big and bulky, but they gave me 25 minutes of usage at no cost on each phone. I realized that I was free from my dependence on my home phone; I could be reached anywhere.

Today I believe it is the worst invention in history. Americans have a twisted and sick love of their toys. They are seldom used to make phone calls; texting and playing video games are their basic purposes. Because of texting, drivers and pedestrians die every day thanks to carless action by the phone’s users.

There was a best-selling book when I was growing up; it was titled “The Ugly American,” released in 1963. The subject matter was the American tourist and how they were rude and demanding. Thanks to America’s love affair with their toys, a book about the abuse of cell phones could be titled “The Ugliest Americans.” Rudeness has become popular; good manners and respect for others has disappeared.

The use of phones in restaurants and movie theaters is unforgiveable, but playing with them at the gym is not only rude, it is ignorant.

I try to work out three or four times a week. I plan to spend approximately 45 minutes of my time. Like most men and women who go to the gym, I have a routine. All too frequently, one of the machines I want to use is occupied; but that person is not using the machine, they are texting. What a waste of time, and what a perfect example of rude America.

I would prefer that the owners or managers of the gyms forbid phones on the floor; but they are cowards. They cater to the few at the expense of the rights of the many.

The last thing I want to use at the gym is my phone. I listen to music, and avoid the grunts and groans of the men who lift more weight than they are able. Exercise is taking time for me.

Just yesterday I saw an ad on television which really upset me. T-Mobile is offering unlimited text and data, but no telephone service or voice mail. Really?

Did I call them the worst invention in history? I meant to say that they are the most useless and failed invention in the history of mankind.

I had to write an article which was not political; it was cathartic.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Photo Courtesy of Artotem

My novels are available on Amazon