We have heard of all sorts of phobias, claustrophobia, hydrophobia and more. The latest addition is nomophobia. It's the ‘no mobile phone phobia'— in other words, the fear of finding oneself without the mobile phone. It had to happen sooner rather than later, given our addiction to those small gadgets.
As with any other addiction, the absence of the addictive substance causes ‘withdrawal symptoms,' and, in extreme cases, mental and physical breakdowns. So it is not surprising that people live in constant fear of forgetting to take their mobile phones or losing them. Understandably, people always clutch it in their hands or hang it around their necks. Such is the grip of this invention over the human psyche.
In a recent survey in the U.K., 66% of the people surveyed admitted to this fear of losing their mobiles. And of this group, it was the young adults in the 18-24 group that tended to be the most addicted, unable to be separated from their mobiles for more than a few minutes. This phobia brings along with it another ‘obsessive compulsive disorder' — that of constantly peering into the mobile.
Observe anyone. Every few minutes, they press the green button, knowing full well that there is no call or message. The explosion in the varieties of mobiles, I-Phones, smartphones and what not and the plethora of applications have only added to the problem. From browsing the internet to gaming, to video-streaming, to mobile-banking, a mind-boggling spread of ‘user apps' entices people to be ‘connected' always. Stay connected is the catchword.
But why this nomophobia? Because we sybarites need to babble and chatter. Everyone is talking away as if their lives depend on it. From the impecunious vegetable vendor to the smartly dressed executive, from the hierophantic temple priest to the bus driver, from the insouciantly sashaying college student to the shopkeeper, there is no one who is not holding the handsets to their ears or in their hand. Either they are texting, playing games, browsing the net or, out of sheer ennui, in a sort of involuntary reflex or jactitation, they keep pressing the buttons.
The two-wheeler drivers drive with the mobiles sandwiched between the shoulder and the ear, the head bent at an angle. Car and bus drivers drive with one hand, the other hand embracing the mobile, knowing pretty well that it is dangerous. Even God is not spared these travails. The priest simultaneously performs the rituals, chanting the sacred syllables, and nonchalantly answers to a call.
As we genuflect before the Lord, one eye is on the mobile. As we board a public bus, there will invariably be some persons who are already ‘on line' and who continue with their soliloquies even after getting down or after we alight.
Agreed, we live in a wired up world, where technology rules the roost; where information holds the key to success; where convenience takes precedence over other considerations; where timely communication can mean the difference between profit or loss, between success and failure or even between life and death. And the cellphone is an indispensable part of life. It makes life so much more easier; and enjoyable, for us to be able to talk with anyone, anywhere, instantly.
But must we allow ourselves to be ‘ruled' by it? Can't we even sleep undisturbed without this intruder? Must it even accompany us into the toilet? When an overwhelming majority of scientific studies show, albeit inconclusively, an increased incidence of brain tumours in continuous cellphone users, must otherwise healthy people knowingly expose themselves to the risk? As it is, our lives today are literally ‘poisoned.' From chemical-laden fruits, vegetables and foodstuffs, from air, groundwater and noise pollution, from electromagnetic radiation-emitting computers, microwaves and medical devices, from the foetal to cadaverous stage, it's one uninterrupted toxic bombardment. Can't we restrict this cellphone usage to the minimum, only for absolutely essential requirements? And save ourselves more trouble? And nomophobia?
(cdel_iso@confidental.org)
I am anti-mobile and hence considered "ancient" and "weird" by my family. Even my parents are more mobile-friendly than I am. Infact I do not want to be accessible all the time; and while I readily accept it as an idiosyncracy of mine, I fail to realise why "being in constant touch" has become so essential now than, say, a decade ago?
But more importantly, I find the behaviour of many mobile-maniacs impolite. While having a conversation, I find them constantly, either checking their phone or texting something. Not only do I find it distracting, I also consider it rude. I think people should be taught mobile-etiquettes. While I appreciate and fully understand the importance of mobile phones, do we really have to let these gadgets enslave us?
thanks to the writer for making us aware of the indispensable technical monster hanging around us the moment we wake up to the time we reach our bed.mobile phones today have become so eminent in our life that people today may miss wearing their clothes but never in the case of cellphones.In spite of the increasing concern over using this all-time available time bomb,the craze for it never even got down by a inch.a person with age above fifteen found without cell becomes the eigth wonder.Poor Graham Bell must be heavily seen resentful in the heavens for creating such a device being used in all the unwanted ways which he was totally unaware of.
I carry a cell phone in my pocket. I do not even remember my telephone number because I do not have to dial that number and because I do not give out that number to anybody. Carrying a cell phone gives me a sense of security that in case of emergency I can summon for help. About 10 years ago while driving on a highway my car suddenly lost power. Luckily I managed to pull my car to a gore area in the highway. While in the gore area flanked on left side by cars moving to the right to exit and on the right side cars moving to get inside the freeway it was a tense situation. I literally wished for the police to come and get me out of the highway to safety. I did not mind getting an expensive traffic ticket as a price for my safety. Luckily after a few minutes the car gained power and with no help I managed to drive. That day I decided to buy a cell phone.
One more addition to the elaborate list mentioned by the author, during the "Natural Calls :)" too !
I am retired senior central government officer from new delhi who is anti nomophobia! Yes! by having mobile with me I am restless!!
In fact I hate sometimes to carry outsidebut my family members threaten me that n this old age something untowards happens mobile will help. IIn fact till date I have do not have any mobile of my own but donated by my sons only!! Of course I pay the minimum bill per month! I tried to switchoff at times due to its nuisences but forced to put it on by my mobile addicted wife!!
Once while travelling in Delhi bus a pickpocket lifted my mobile from my shirt pocket bu my copassengers caught hold off him and got back the little notorious wizard! So the more you dislike or hate a thing, the more it gets attached!
Alas! the latest finding says the sparrows have become the nedagered species due to severe mushroom mobiles ant its network in metros!
K.K.nathan
New Delhi
25142545
Am retired. Go out to marketing or window shopping etc. I dont carry a mobile. Who is going to call me except tele-marketeers? Some whom I meet in the shops etc ask "Why! You dont ahve a mobile with you?" I can stand that; but my kids and wife berate me for not carrying one ; "how to know where you are?" Why? I am not lost physically nor mentally. Of course, I know chennai very well; good in Tamil and madras tamil. Whose going to kidnap me? But it is good to see we are communicating well; even though sometimes it sounds like the Tower of Babel in the bus or a little bit scary when one sees some one in a lonely road at night gesticulating and screaming and one finds that it is only that the person is talking on hands-free mode. Just wait. See what happens when tele-porting becomes real!!
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