Cell Phones - The Modern Six Shooter

In today's world of advancing technology, we hear that technology doubles every 18-24 months. That's quick! Is technology really evolving this quickly? I am definitely not an expert on the evolution of of technology, albeit I can undeniably see this evolution occurring. We see the size and thickness of our televisions change so rapidly, it seems as soon as we purchase ours the bigger and thinner (and more "green" might I add) version is just hitting the shelves. As we buy our new mp3 player it has a new predecessor that is smaller containing more memory. Change, as it would seem, is always a constant.

There is one piece of technology that I wish to focus this thread on today. A piece of technology that is so integrated in our lives, it seems un-natural to be without. In fact, I dare say that without one you will be scorned and ridiculed by your peers. Having one and not knowing how to use it, that is just as serious a sin. What is this technology that has so permeated our lives? Yes, the mighty cell phone.

Evolution of the cell phone. May I present to you the idea that the cell phone is the evolution of another product that had so saturated the lives of those who used it. This primitive "cell-phone" was the staple of everyday life long before the modern cell phone came into play. I wish to show how the modern cell phone is the progeny of the late six shooter of the wild west.

The revolver, such an integral part of life in the old west that an individual would not dare leave home without it. Everyone carried their pistol a little differently. Some carried the smaller models in pockets and boots. The women usually had theirs hidden in the bottom of their purses, so when the time came that they actually need it, they had to fumble through everything in there to try to find it. The men who usually meant business carried them strapped to their hips in a leather holster for all to see. It was a show of power and pride for these folks. They usually knew how to operate their six shooter more efficiently then anyone else, and they liked people to know.

There started out so few models of revolvers that in the beginning nearly everyone was carrying the same make and model. As the revolver gained notoriety more companies began to manufacture more models, constantly changing features to stay ahead of the game. The market became flooded with a copious amount of revolvers. People began to compare their model to their neighbor's. People began to buy more than one revolver when only one was necessary, just to have all the latest features of the new one. "Yeah Bob, I just upgraded to the .44 caliber yesterday. It has bigger bullets with a faster trajectory."

The six shooter had so many uses. It was carried along on travel for protection. If a wagon broke down they could protect themselves. They could even place a call for help by firing a couple shots up in the air. To pass the time, and as a form of competition, many people played games with their revolver.

The six shooter was a vital piece of western communication. One would never forget to take it with them, especially on a visit to the early form of social networking sites, aka: bars. When asking someone a question and that individual feels inclined not to respond to your request, you pull out your six shooter, point it around a bit, and all of the sudden the line of communication has improved drastically. Information seems to flow toward you from all directions. The revolver gets great "reception". If by chance that friend still decides not to respond, you have the ability to delete that person from your friend list immediately. Incredible piece of technology!

I know it seems like quite a stretch to claim that cell phones are the evolved, modern six shooter, but I feel I make my point quite clear. But then again, I am just shooting from the hip.