Cedar Point is now responsible for...

Yep. It's easy to blame the device (people do it all the time with guns...and hell, I'd argue there's a better case for blaming guns for society's downfall, and I like guns). Fact is, WE have control over how much and for what we use said device.

I also don't clutch my pocket while riding. My pockets typically don't allow anything--especially a phone--to fly out.

Lord Gonchar said:

You have a tiny computer/communication device with access to all the information in the world available at all times in your pocket.

Up to 5 free articles a month. :)

Lord Gonchar said:

I can't think of a single thing I can't do better, faster or easier (or at all) without it than with.

Dial 3 peoples phone numbers without looking them up on your phone. lol

Ha!

I absolutely can...for anyone I talk to regularly.

And I know credit card numbers, bank account numbers and the entire family's social security numbers too...just in case.

But doesn't having all of those in the phone ready to dial with a simple press of the touchscreen qualify as better, faster and easier?

In all seriousness, not everyone is as superhuman as me. This is why we transferred our landline 'house number' to a Google Voice account way back when. It's the one number everyone knows. That way no matter where, when or from what you're trying to get hold of someone in the family, you can. And the Voice account forwards to all the appropriate personal phones.

That is very impressive, especially now a days. Here I am not even able to remember all my damn passwords let alone phone numbers..

I do agree that cell phones are one of the 5 best things ever invented but with every great invention there are consequences. I work in the airbag/seatbelt industry (engineer)

and there are more accidents due to texting/calling/updating facebook status etc. then there are drunk driving accidents now...

Vater said:

I also don't clutch my pocket while riding. My pockets typically don't allow anything--especially a phone--to fly out.

I doubt mine would let anything out either, but my mind won't let me relax about it unless my hand is on it so I know it's there.

Vater said:

I also don't clutch my pocket while riding. My pockets typically don't allow anything--especially a phone--to fly out.

Well we're not all fit enough like you to wear skinny jeans. Does this phone make my crotch look big?

Ha! I'm far from fit, and don't own a pair of skinny jeans. In fact, the fact that my baggy-ass jeans (or is it baggy ass-jeans?) conform to my thighs is pretty much the reason my cell phone is immovable...

Vater said:
I also don't clutch my pocket while riding. My pockets typically don't allow anything--especially a phone--to fly out.

You and those sexy tight pants.

If this is now their policy, the Raptor fatality and insurance company requirements may be factoring into this.

Park should just buy a few different models of I-phones, some androids and other phones, smash them with sledgehammers and keep them in a box in the ride station. When someone says they lost their phone on a ride, ask them which kind it was and go to the box and find that model, hand it to them and say here it is.

I lost a phone years ago on Space Mountain - Orlando. I knew it basically immediately but just took the L then and there - it never even occurred to me to inconvenience everybody to that degree.

I've had a flip phone for a very long time. I also carried my iPod Touch around with me for the computer aspect. I have always loved having an iPod in my pocket. It was one of my most cherished possessions.

However, I have always been annoyed by having to carry two devices around; a cell phone and an iPod. It's a lot of clutter when you add a wallet and car keys to the mix.

So last week, I finally gave in and bought an iPhone. The Straight Talk iPhone 6 (not 6s) came down in price to only $199. That's actually cheaper than my last iPod Touch. It's nicer than the iPod too.

My next purchase will be an iPhone wallet that carries my cards and money.

---

On topic... I loved having my iPod at the parks. Quick snapshots, internet access, games, memos for when I have an inspiring moment, all made my park visit so much more fun. Though I do get annoyed with all the people not looking up and enjoying their actual experience at the park, or anywhere actually.

Life is amazing. Phone time is fun, but don't let it take over your chance at experiencing life.

In the not so distant future, humanity is going to be paired with technology in a very seamless way. Artificial Intelligence will merge with human intelligence, and the world will never be the same. We are one of the last few generations who may have the chance to experience actual reality.

Let that sink in... We are one of the last few generations who may have the chance to experience actual reality.

So having a cell phone in your pocket at all times while in the park, or anywhere, is great, but it foreshadows a future that is headed for an interesting, possibly dismal turn.

Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. We are Borg.

From what I'm reading, that's where we are heading. Even Elon Musk is talking about it.

Won't this just be another source of widening inequality? (I know you're a big Bernie guy, Travis)

Like the rich folk will be the ones with the advanced implants and the advantages that come with it and it will later trickle down to the poor, lowly masses. Low income people will have outdated, glitchy technology implanted and high income people will be able to have bleeding edge hotness...allowing them to do things the people with the lesser tech simply can't - which then opens up more opportunity and quality of life.

If you're worried about the tech becoming so pervasive, there's the secondary angle for you to lament.

LostKause said:

Let that sink in...

Stupid mormon sinks.

Anytime someone mentions assimilation of tech, I immediately think of the show Black Mirrors and get the chills. And thank you Gonch for adding a new angle to that that might actually give me nightmares. *shiver*

Resistance is fu... Oh darn it! There's a bug in my software....!