Hold the Phone!! Wait, what's the number again?!?

Don’t act like this has never happened to you before.

Situation: Your cell phone’s battery died (or you dropped it in the toilet or it was ran over by a car or …well, there are just too many fun scenarios to list) and you must call your Mom now!

Dilemma: You can’t remember her number, for Pete’s sake! (This is especially bad if calling up Momma would really benefit your pal Pete.) But with your cell phone out of commission, you’re really up the creek.

So, have we collectively succumbed to technology’s power again? Without our digital contacts list, are we helpless to remember data once oh-so vital?

I investigated by doing and no research and asking like three people…and of course, the answer is a resounding ‘Yes’.

Before cell phones, I could remember any Bridgette’s seven digits. Still to this day I can recall most of my best friend’s home phone numbers from when we were growing up…plus my favorite pizza joint. (That one is 402-494-2999; call ‘em up and get a Canadian Bacon and Pepperoni pie– excellent!)

Alas nowadays, I’m stuck without the mystical powers of my celly’s phonebook. I guess I’ve got better things to memorize…or not. Case v. Point- life might be too convenient these days. So, is memorizing phone numbers just the latest skill to fall into obsolescence these days thanks to technology? Only time will tell (I just hope telling time never goes out of style, I rock around the analog clock).



"Hello…yes, this is one of the new cellular telephones
the kids have been talking about!"

In closing, don’t feel bad when you can’t remember your Mom’s number, I can’t either. If the number’s not 867-5309, I’ve got no clue.

PeAcE,
C. DeRoin.

((Originally written July 29th, 2009 for Sioux City Journal's Young Readers Board))