The new Smokers?

Michael Gartenberg | December 12, 2006, 10:24 PM

First there was this article in the Journal. Then a segment on CNBC calling Blackberry users the new smokers for the 21st Century. Lots of "experts" talking of future lawsuits from employess forced to use them. And of course, addiction experts. Now I know we call them "crackberrys" but if this is anything more than tongue in cheek, it's time for folks to take a step back.

As a long time Blackberry (and similar technology user) I can attest to the fact that there's a downside to being always connected. Workdays are extended and there's a huge temptation to check and respond to email at all hours. And a huge upside. At recent school event, one parent chided another for using their Blackberry. The Blackberry user responded that if not for the device, he wouldn't have been able to be at the event and would have had to remain in his office.

It's also hard to compare Blackberry users in restaurants to smokers. Come on, does someone using a Blackberry at the next table create a public nuisance. It's time for folks to calm down here and to all you Blackberry users, there are times when you can just turn off the device.