📘 Part 3: Mobile phones

This episode's vocabulary

To do something at the touch of a button (idiom) - to do something very easily and quickly, usually because of new technology.

Limitless (adj.) - without limit.

Dexterity (noun) - the ability to perform a difficult action quickly and skillfully with the hands.

To moderate (verb) - to (cause to) become less in size, strength, or force; to reduce something.

Arthritis (noun) - a serious condition in which a person's joints (= the places where two bones are connected) become painful, swollen, and stiff.

Impractical (adj.) - impractical arrangements, ideas, or methods cannot be done or used easily or effectively.

To enforce (verb) - to make people obey a law, or to make a particular situation happen or be accepted.

Courteous (adj.) - polite and showing respect.

Contraband (noun) - goods that are brought into or taken out of the country secretly and illegally.

Nebulous (adj.) - (especially of ideas) not clear and having no form.

Discreet (adj.) - careful not to cause embarrassment or attract too much attention, especially by keeping something secret.

Crotchety (adj.) - often in a bad mood and easily annoyed.

Invasive (adj.) - moving into all areas of something and difficult to stop.

To creep in (phrasal verb) - to gradually start to be noticeable.

Irritating (adj.) - making you feel annoyed.

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Questions and Answers

M: Rory, what do people usually do with a cell phone?

R: Well, it would probably be easier to say what you, or what they don't do with them. I mean, you can use them to do anything these days, from messaging friends to ordering food at the touch of a button like the possibilities are pretty much limitless.

M: And do you think that everybody these days has a mobile phone?

R: Well, almost everybody, I mean, you know, there will be people who are extremely poor, who don't have access to any kind of IT. But most people have access to a phone.

M: What are the differences between young and older people when they use their cell phones?

R: Well, it probably depends on the age gap we're talking about here. I mean, very young, and very old people probably, I don't know, lack the dexterity to use them effectively. So there's no difference there. If we moderate the gap a little I imagine younger people are more likely to use technology for a wider variety of purposes, because they are more likely to understand them better. And older people will probably use them for work purposes, since they're more likely to be employed.

M: Do you think that some older people are not able to use mobile phones?

R: Well, yeah, I mean, just the same way as like, there'll be some younger people who can't like maybe people with arthritis, for example, or people with no hands, or that have some sort of other disability, that means they can't type.

M: Do you think a law should stop people from using phones in public places?

R: Well, that would be highly impractical, don't you think? How on earth? Would you even enforce that? Even if you wanted to? I mean, I think I just settle for people being more courteous in public places and having their phones on silent mode.

M: Should there be any laws on the use of mobile phones in general?

R: Well, that depends on what it's with regards to. I mean, if it's the distribution of certain contraband material, then yeah. But if you mean something more nebulous and easy to abuse, then no. I mean, you'd have to be more specific. Sorry.

M: Could you give an example of a situation when mobile phones could be annoying?

R: When are they not? I mean, they constantly demand our attention. Although really, that would be the people on the other end of them. And I think we all just like being on the train when people use them to play loud music. I mean, that is unnecessary.

M: But what could be the advantages of using mobile phones in public places?

R: Well, you mean, using them to play loud music in public places? If you're on a secret mission from the government to annoy people, then yes, that would be an advantage. But like using them in public places, it could be helpful for reporting an accident, for example, or contacting your friends in a discreet way, but not for just sitting there playing music loudly. And I have been in that position before. And if you are one of these people that does that and you're listening, then do know that you are annoying all of the people around you on the train, or the bus, or the plane, or wherever you are.

M: And do you think that people should do something? They should approach this person and actually tell them like to stop using their phone?

R: Yes. Actually. And I wish I had, there was a time when that happened to me, and I wish I'd done it. And I don't know why I didn't. I think maybe I was waiting for someone else to do something. Which is ironic, because probably other people were doing the exact same thing, just waiting for someone to say something.

M: Do you think that in the future mobile phones will be even more annoying?

R: If they're near me, and I'm older and more crotchety, then yes. I mean, in general, probably. I mean, technology is becoming increasingly invasive, to be honest with you.

M: What do you think of people who speak on the phone in public?

R: Assuming it's not overly loud or inappropriate in terms of what they're talking about, I think that's fine. It's when the loudness creeps in that it gets, you know, particularly annoying or irritating. It's not difficult to control the volume of your voice.

M: Thank you, Rory, for your answers!

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