ALL TALK AND NO ACTION

Unless you live under a rock, this probably won’t come as a surprise, but a new Time Health study found that cell phones may actually make people ruder and more selfish!  Specifically, researchers discovered that cell phone use was linked to a reduction in prosocial behavior (i.e. doing things to help others).  After using a cell phone for just a short period of time, people were less likely to accept volunteering opportunities or put effort into charity fundraising.  Even just thinking about cell phones brought about this anti-social behavior in study participants.  Experts say that because we associate cell phones with connecting with people, they reduce our desire to connect further or to feel empathy towards others.  We’re not sure that explains those jerks who talk loudly on their cell phones in public though…like the last time my wife and I went to lunch, and we hear a loud "hello"...only to find out some granny was talking to her grand kid on her cell phone while waiting for her guest.