Are You Dull? A Smartphone Can Tell You

It would be impossible to explain what is actually going on in the meltdown of the New York State legislature -- and no one would be interested anyway -- except for the point about the BlackBerry. A rich guy, Tom Golisano, came to Albany to complain about taxes and, instead of listening attentively, the head of the Senate, to whom Golisano had made substantial contributions, played with his BlackBerry.

This detail comes from the New York Times, which, in another story, reports that in spite of the recession, sales of smartphones will increase this year by 25%. Smartphones, the Times says, are now a social necessity. If you don't respond to an email immediately, you're a slacker.

But the greater social point is what you do with a smartphone in someone else's presence. Checking your phone is the official, and nearly acceptable, way to say you're boring me.

Continue reading on newser.com