First stage ideas
The tensions/awkwardnesses of the cell-phone communication are so ubiquitous but often being ignored or tolerated. People tend to bear with the anxious and awkward experiences underline the belief that the device is a can't-live-without gadget. By stimulating/hight-lighting the often seen experiences may help people's awareness of how our behavior been shaped and constrained by the form of current cell-phone communication.
often-seen examples:
01
An incoming call you don't want to pick up, but don't really know how to make it mute without directly reject the call, which considered impolite. The continue ringing phone not only make you feel awkward but also create intension between you and your surrounding.
problem
A lot of people don't really know how to use their cell-phone
B There should be more options to reject a call
02
In an inappropriate situation (meeting/interview/class/funeral/wedding/temple..etc), your phone rings and you anxiously want to find it, but it's too late. You have to apologize or sometimes just bear other people's anger.
problem
A we always carry our cell phone but don't really always (remember to/know how to)control it because it is so easy to forget.
B we try to be reachable all the time even when are not suppose to
03
Someone has different perception of "politeness" and "the protocol of using phone appropriately", either talk too loud in an inappropriate situation(library/subway...etc)or keep calling other people until it get through, or simply not picking up his/her phone all the time.
problem
A We expect everyone understands and uses the same protocol but there is no (safe) way to control/intervene other's behavior
04
Someone always call you at a bad timing, could be when your hands are full or an awkward timing. We tend to relate this negative feeling to this (might be innocent) person.
problem
A there is no tips before you make the call, you don't know if the timing is gonna be good or not.
B when you get a call like this, you don't have a proper way to leash out your anger because technically it is no one's fault
05
We are always aware of the strength of the signal, it becomes a new necessary feature when choosing where to live. We feel anxious when disconnected, especially when other people have no problem.
problem
A we consider the convenience of "reachable" status as our default option, but it somehow increase our anxious level.
06
Sometimes we use cell-phone as our disguise, pretending ourselves on a on-going conversation in some situations which you simply want to avoid or want to look less stupid doing nothing. Sometimes we need a call to have an excuse to get out of the situation either physically or metaphysically.
problem
A Its not real, sometimes it fail because of that.It will only make things even more awkward and put you in a worse situation.
B When you need a call, you can't order one. Even if you ask your friend to help, the timing and the content of conversation could be wrong/not as good as you want
07
You were talking someone in person, your phone rang. You pick up the phone cuz he keep calling, but its rude either to make the person you were talking to wait or rush the caller to finish up the phone. All of a sudden your situation became difficult.
problem
A You can easily be put in an awkward situation in which you didn't do anything wrong but seems to be the one to blame.
B Other people have no way to know if it is a good timing, it is hard for them to be polite too.
08
You were not prepare to answer a call, but it rings. Somehow you still pick up the phone and pretend that you are ready to take the call(toilet/shower/sleeping/napping/slacking/having or about to have sex/hiding)
A you are not ready, and other people can easily tell. There is no way you can get help
B You may loose important chance or ruin a good time.
09
You want to finish a conversation, but don't really know how. You pretend the signal is getting weak and hangup, but the other person always can tell.
problem
A It's not real, you will get caught
10
You get nervous when make or pick up a call, but the ringing time is so short that you cant really prepare yourself well
problem
A There is no way or chance to practice,
B The time issue is intense, make you sounds worse than you should be
C you dont even know how you sound
often-seen examples:
01
An incoming call you don't want to pick up, but don't really know how to make it mute without directly reject the call, which considered impolite. The continue ringing phone not only make you feel awkward but also create intension between you and your surrounding.
problem
A lot of people don't really know how to use their cell-phone
B There should be more options to reject a call
02
In an inappropriate situation (meeting/interview/class/funeral/wedding/temple..etc), your phone rings and you anxiously want to find it, but it's too late. You have to apologize or sometimes just bear other people's anger.
problem
A we always carry our cell phone but don't really always (remember to/know how to)control it because it is so easy to forget.
B we try to be reachable all the time even when are not suppose to
03
Someone has different perception of "politeness" and "the protocol of using phone appropriately", either talk too loud in an inappropriate situation(library/subway...etc)or keep calling other people until it get through, or simply not picking up his/her phone all the time.
problem
A We expect everyone understands and uses the same protocol but there is no (safe) way to control/intervene other's behavior
04
Someone always call you at a bad timing, could be when your hands are full or an awkward timing. We tend to relate this negative feeling to this (might be innocent) person.
problem
A there is no tips before you make the call, you don't know if the timing is gonna be good or not.
B when you get a call like this, you don't have a proper way to leash out your anger because technically it is no one's fault
05
We are always aware of the strength of the signal, it becomes a new necessary feature when choosing where to live. We feel anxious when disconnected, especially when other people have no problem.
problem
A we consider the convenience of "reachable" status as our default option, but it somehow increase our anxious level.
06
Sometimes we use cell-phone as our disguise, pretending ourselves on a on-going conversation in some situations which you simply want to avoid or want to look less stupid doing nothing. Sometimes we need a call to have an excuse to get out of the situation either physically or metaphysically.
problem
A Its not real, sometimes it fail because of that.It will only make things even more awkward and put you in a worse situation.
B When you need a call, you can't order one. Even if you ask your friend to help, the timing and the content of conversation could be wrong/not as good as you want
07
You were talking someone in person, your phone rang. You pick up the phone cuz he keep calling, but its rude either to make the person you were talking to wait or rush the caller to finish up the phone. All of a sudden your situation became difficult.
problem
A You can easily be put in an awkward situation in which you didn't do anything wrong but seems to be the one to blame.
B Other people have no way to know if it is a good timing, it is hard for them to be polite too.
08
You were not prepare to answer a call, but it rings. Somehow you still pick up the phone and pretend that you are ready to take the call(toilet/shower/sleeping/napping/slacking/having or about to have sex/hiding)
A you are not ready, and other people can easily tell. There is no way you can get help
B You may loose important chance or ruin a good time.
09
You want to finish a conversation, but don't really know how. You pretend the signal is getting weak and hangup, but the other person always can tell.
problem
A It's not real, you will get caught
10
You get nervous when make or pick up a call, but the ringing time is so short that you cant really prepare yourself well
problem
A There is no way or chance to practice,
B The time issue is intense, make you sounds worse than you should be
C you dont even know how you sound
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