To think smartphones are a blight on our society?

[WhoDaresWins]

Took DC to the cinema yesterday and we sat down with about 20 mins until the film started.

It was quite full and as I looked around, the most common sight was a parent tapping away on a phone while the kids fidgeted. One particular parent didn't exchange a single word with her son for the whole time - she was tapping, he sat in silence.

Now I'm not holier than thou in this regard, I probably do it as much as everyone else although I'm aware of it and try to catch myself. So I'm not judging as I would be judging myself.

But as a society, we need to kick this habit don't we?

My Galaxy S1 which is 5 year old does exactly what it says on the tin.

All this upgrading beat the jones's baffles me :)

Why am I reminded of the Only Fools and Horses episode with the Filofax?

I don't have one. I rarely call anyone, just occasional SMS.

What is unfair is the increasing use of them in exams. With some of my oral exams, you pick a topic then have 30 minutes to prepare while the person in front of you has their oral exam with the examiner. Many people sneak off to the toilet and read over their prepared notes on that topic which they can access online via their phone. Naturally they can potentially get far better marks than those of us that actually prepare our own notes and understand and memorise the topic. In practice those of us that prepare do best, but for obscure and boring topics it really gives an advantage and many people pass that shouldn't. Good examiners keep a member of staff watching you prepare notes with no loo breaks.

Yes, people always will cheat. But they cheat in a much more comprehensive way. You can't sneak 2 full ringleaders into an exam to read up notes, you can sneak a phone in your knickers or whatever though