[MR] cell phones at events

[E. L. Wimett]

A very balanced approach!

Checking for messages every couple of hours is not that good an option for
some folks.  

For instance, when I was IT Director for a state agency, going to many
events at all required that I have the cell on so I could respond to
emergencies IMMEDIATELY as in some situations failing to get a system up at
once could cost the agency many thousands of dollars in museum and gift shop
revenues.  (Note that for all of that time I was a deputy kingdom officer
and in many cases was attending the event not for pure pleasure but also as
part of my duties.)  As came up on several occasions during a discussion of
cell phone use at Pennsic, carrying the cell was essentially the price of
attending Pennsic at all for a lot of people. . .

In another recent case, an old friend had reached the top of a transplant
list, but wanted to attend an event near his home to see friends that he
might not get an opportunity to see before surgery otherwise.  Both he and
his wife had their cells on and active because once a donor is found the
clock starts ticking.  Some people may have found their immediate pouncing
upon the cell phone distracting or annoying.  Even though there were several
"false alarms", I found it reassuring that they were intelligent enough to
realize that "the real world comes first", a piece of advice of which I
always try to remind those who become overinfected with the "dream" at the
expense of their mundane responsibilities. . .

Alisoun

-----Original Message-----
From: atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of Niccolina Mann
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 11:34 PM
To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
Subject: [MR] cell phones at events

to be honest. who are we to decide what is a good reason, or if three calls
is an overkill?  we have no right in this day of technology to decide this.
what is important to one may or may not be important to another.  perhaps
those phone calls were from the same person, but updating a loved one's
surgery?  or a loved one's health condition while not doing well in the
hospital?  all we can ask is that people be as considerate as possible with
the cell phones.  but, if one goes off, ignore it.  we ignore the "bard in a
box" as well as the "mechanical dragons".  i am sure we can ignore the
technological messengers that bring us news if needed.

lady niccolina the wanderer


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