In one of my classes, a mini assignment was to choose any material symbol that represents change and examine it materially as well as symbolically for about an hour. We were to describe the symbol’s significance generally and with regard to change. I chose a cell phone. Here is my analysis:

The [Cell]phone as a Symbol of Change

Perhaps the hardest part about finding a symbol of change is the fact that they are all around us and, therefore, easily go unnoticed. Coffey touches on this in her article, saying that “over-familiarity is considered a problem, rather than a strength” (1999:20). This rule definitely applied to my situation as I tried to find some great symbol hidden in the depths of our society before I realized that the cell phone sitting right in front of me was perfect for this exercise.

Materially, this phone is made of plastic, flips open, and at one time was sleek and stylish but is now scratched and peeling in places. It is relatively thin and fits in the palm of my hand.

Symbolically, this phone represents enough to be discussed in an essay, so I will try to make the most out of the space I have.

Generally, the significance of this phone is that it allows myself and others around the world to communicate with each other instantly and with ease. Advances in telecommunications have made the cellphone a necessary tool for business, travel, and everyday life. In our society, it is pretty well frowned upon if you are not easily available or ‘plugged-in.’

The cell phone represents the change in pace of our society. People want more and they want it fast–instant gratification. The cell phone feeds this desire.

In addition, it is not just the verbal communication aspect of the cell phone that represents change, but the other interactive aspects as well. Picture messaging, video messaging, instant text messaging, radio frequency abilities, music playing, game playing, and web surfing are all products of change to help us submerse ourselves in an ever-expanding global community. The cell phone is the United Nations of communication. Yes, the capabilities of the cell phone are symbolic of changes globally–not to mention facilitators of these changes as well. However, it is not only the capabilities of the cell phone sitting in front of me that are symbolic; the hunk of plastic it is made of is symbolic as well.

On average, residents of the United States get at new cell phone every two years. Why? Because cell phones are also symbols of style, status, and our need for the ‘latest and greatest.’ We are a consumptive culture and the cell phone is a perfect testament to this fact. Most people can toss their phone in the trash after two years without a second thought. It is acceptable and encouraged. To do so represents progress, and progress is necessary for a stable economy and state. Technology needs to change, corporations have to make a profit, and people must buy new things in order to ensure this. In this sense, the cell phone is a perfect representation of the struggle being looked at in my research question concerning socially responsible investing.

In order for investments to be worth while, companies must do better this year than they did last year and next year better than this. If they don’t, their shareholders will drop out and the company will ultimately fail. There is only one direction to go and in order to achieve this goal, we need to buy new cell phones, we need to exploit people and the environment, and we need to go to war over resources. For growth to continue, this is necessary. Representing this cultural mindset, perhaps the cell phone is a symbol which tells us that economic progress is more important than social progress.

Of course, I am not suggesting that the cell phone is the cause of our problems, however, it does represent many of the changes and beliefs within our capitalist culture that have caused these problems. It was not until I sat down to think about the cell phone as a symbol that I realized it was one. I knew its function, yet it didn’t concern me to think about what it meant symbolically.

The cell phone shows no signs of slowing its influence within our society as we continue to demand greater and faster results. It is seen as a necessary tool in our modern lives. This view is so strong in our society that we have even created language to express the cell phone’s perceived necessity. For example, the cell phone/email/internet tool used by many business people called the Blackberry is popularly referred to as the “Crackberry” due to its addictive ‘nature’. In the eyes of Geertz, this attitude that the cell phone is “necessary” is part of our “world view.” In other words, our picture of the way things actually are tells us that cell phones are a necessary part of life. Whether or not this is true does not matter. People believe it to be true and, therefore, for all intents and purposes, it is true.

No matter what one thinks of the cell phone, it is impossible to deny its powerful place in our society. As a symbol of change, a lot can be learned from this small yet mighty piece of technology.

–That was a little longer than expected, sorry.