pmcnamara
News Editor

If you had to choose?

Opinion
Jul 1, 20091 min

Survey shows far too many far too attached to their mobile phones

Four times I’ve read this sentence from a press release and it makes no more sense the fourth time than the first: “If caught in the rain with a choice of a mobile phone or an umbrella, nearly 37 percent of Americans would choose their mobile phone.”

Why? They would place it atop their heads as with a rain hat? Seems woefully unsuited to the task. They would use it to call a cab? One might drown before that works. Or, maybe they’re going to check the forecast, see exactly when this downpour will subside.

Me? I’m taking the umbrella and asking you if I might borrow your phone.

The umbrella vs. phone question is but one imaginary dilemma posed to some 1,000 adults by a polling firm hired by Best Buy Mobile. In addition, the survey found: 60 percent would give up booze for a week before their mobile phone; a third would part with television first; and 15% would opt for the dentist before going without you know what.

You can decide whether those numbers seem high or low.