Telephone technology has increased dramatically over the last few years, making this issue a little more complicated in the post smartphone world. There are many advantages and disadvantages to using the telephone as a method of communication and some of them are more or less pronounced depending on whether you are considering a land line or a cellular phone.
The basic advantages to a telephone, however, would be 1) the ability to keep in contact with people over greater distances 2) keeping in contact perhaps on a more regular basis, if for example plans have to be changed quickly and a face to face meeting or a letter may take too long 3) for emergency situations, obviously a cellular phone would be especially helpful in this way. It should also be remembered that a phone number is now required for many employment opportunities. Also cell phone is technology, having reached such a point as to now be miniaturized computers, offer access to a great deal of information, entertainment and aid for users.
As for the other disadvantages, many people feel that phones have made life more hectic and work-orientated precisely because of our ability, and growing infatuation, with being connected to our work, friends and businesses twenty four hours a day. However, some research has also shown that the majority of cell phone use in the work places is actually focused on entertainment and social communication. So, instead of communications technology increasing our work load, it may actually be increasing our social obligations instead. However, there are some general disadvantages to both land line and cell phone use as a method of technology.
To begin with: 1) phone communication is less personal in many ways and can lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding 2) as a method of communication it is more expensive than say, talking 3) phones can raise privacy concerns not just over wire taps. Crossed lines do still happen and familiarity with using a phone can lead to personal conversations taking place in otherwise public settings.
The basic advantages to a telephone, however, would be 1) the ability to keep in contact with people over greater distances 2) keeping in contact perhaps on a more regular basis, if for example plans have to be changed quickly and a face to face meeting or a letter may take too long 3) for emergency situations, obviously a cellular phone would be especially helpful in this way. It should also be remembered that a phone number is now required for many employment opportunities. Also cell phone is technology, having reached such a point as to now be miniaturized computers, offer access to a great deal of information, entertainment and aid for users.
As for the other disadvantages, many people feel that phones have made life more hectic and work-orientated precisely because of our ability, and growing infatuation, with being connected to our work, friends and businesses twenty four hours a day. However, some research has also shown that the majority of cell phone use in the work places is actually focused on entertainment and social communication. So, instead of communications technology increasing our work load, it may actually be increasing our social obligations instead. However, there are some general disadvantages to both land line and cell phone use as a method of technology.
To begin with: 1) phone communication is less personal in many ways and can lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding 2) as a method of communication it is more expensive than say, talking 3) phones can raise privacy concerns not just over wire taps. Crossed lines do still happen and familiarity with using a phone can lead to personal conversations taking place in otherwise public settings.
