Kuper, A. J. (2004). The Social Science Encyclopedia. Routledge Reference Resources.
This book gives a thorough introduction to sociological concepts and introduces key theorists in the study. Related fields are also covered in the book, and the in depth philosophy of the social sciences is also addressed. This resource may be of interest to a researcher or journalist who wants a basic background of sociological concepts so they may be able to apply that study to the way cell phones have transformed our social landscape.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Government Documents
Federal Trade Commission. (2005). The Truth about Cell Phones and the National Do Not Call Registry. Retrieved June 11, 2008 from http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/04/dnc.shtm.
This memo released by the FTC alerts consumers to an e-mail being circulated about the potential telemarketing calls they may receive through their cell phones. The memo claims that this is not the case, and that telemarketing calls to cell phone numbers have always been illegal, and will continue to be so. It gives examples of a couple emails that had been circulating and then claims that the FCC prohibits telemarketers to make automated phone calls to cell phones without the consent of the user. They suggest that cell phone users put their names on the National Do Not Call Registry in order to ensure they do not receive telemarketing calls. This site may be useful to a researcher or journalist who wants to know more about privacy issues associated with cell phones and what the government may be doing to intervene in potentially unsecure circumstances.
Betsy Gotbaum, Public Advocate for the City of New York. (2006). Releases & Statements.
Retrieved June 11, 2008 from http://www.pubadvocate.nyc.gov/news/CellPhonePolicy.html
This website contains a statement made by Betsy Gotbaum at a City Council hearing for the Department of Education Cell Phone policy. She explains her policy choice to ban cell phone use in the classroom and explains that New York City is not the only city that has done so. She claims that it is already policy in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, San Diego, Dallas and Miami. The rest of the page goes on to list a few cities and some classroom policies on using cell phones. This site may be of interest to a researcher or journalist who wants to know more about localized policies on cell phones and what actions schools are taking to prohibit them in the classroom.
Government Sources
Food and Drug Administration (2008). FDA: Cell Phone Facts. Retrieved June 11, 2008 from www.fda.gov/cellphones.
This FDA website provides information to the general public about safety and health issues related to cell phones and also explains how calls are made from one cell phone to another. It says that the FCC and the FDA both regulate wireless telephones, making sure that they comply with safety guidelines that limit radiofrequency energy, and that they also monitor the health effects of wireless telephones. This site may be of interest to a researcher or journalist who wants to know how the federal government interprets cell phone risks, and what rules they put in place to monitor and prevent hazards.
Federal Communications Commision. (2008). FCC Consumer Advisory: Cell Phone Fraud. Retrieved June 11 from www.fcc.gov/consumerfacts/cellphonefraud.html
This website created by the FCC provides information on cell phone fraud and what the public may do to prevent it. It explains subscriber fraud as occurring when someone signs up for a service with fraudulently obtained customer information. They also explain that resolving the fraud may be a long term and difficult process, and may initially take time for the victim to discover that the fraud has even occurred. This site may be of interest to a researcher or journalist who wants to know what steps the federal government is taking to prevent fraud, and what role they play in the process of resolving the issue.
Scholarly articles
Raloff, J. (2000). Two Studies Offer Some Cell-Phone Caution. Science News, Vol. 157, (No. 21), pp 326
This article offers information on two studies by an expert panel in Britain that consisted of 12 scientists, physicians, and lay members that found that to date, the balance of evidence indicates that mobile phones don’t harm health. They did however discover that there are indications that cell phone emissions can induce biological changes whose health significance is open to interpretation. Since these particular health risks are unknown, researchers say they can’t proclaim for sure that there may not be potential adverse health effects. This article may be of interest to a researcher or journalist who is interested in knowing about cell phones and how they relate to health and biology.
Daliot-Bul, M. (2007). Japan’s Mobile Technoculture: The Production of a Cellular Playscape and its cultural implications. Media Culture & Society, Vol.29, pp 954-971.
This article focuses on the reception of mobile communication by Japan’s youth in the late 1990s and how it has shaped the mobile communication market in the United States. It discusses how the mobile phone was transformed into an intensely personal part of the user’s lives, and is not just a trivial object use to release stress, but that it instead reflects and perpetuates social change. It also focuses on the youth market, and how the youth represents the new ‘avant-garde’ form of urban lifestyles. This article may be of use to a researcher or journalist who wants to know more about youth culture and cell phones, and how mobile technology may be affecting them differently than the older generation.
Keeter, K. (2007). What's missing from national landline RDD surveys?: The impact of the growing cell-only population. Public Opinion Quarterly, Vol. 71 (5), pp 772-792.
This article discusses how the number of cell phone only houses is continuing to increase, and how there may be a potential bias in landline telephone surveys created by the absence of cell-only households. There is a significant difference between landline households and cell-only households on many important variables surveying cell only or landline only users would create substantial bias. This article may be of interest to a researcher or journalist who is interested in knowing about the effects of switching over from landline to mobile communication, and what the implications of this crossover area.
Not for profit sources
CTIA. (2008). World of Wireless. Retrieved June 9, 2008 from www.ctia.org
CTIA, or “the wireless association” is an international non-profit organization based on membership that represents all sectors of wireless communication. They represent service providers, manufacturers, and other contributors to the wireless universe. CTIA advocates on their behalf before the Executive Branch, Congress, and the state regulatory and legislative bodies. The CTIA would be useful to a researcher or journalist who wants to see how mobile technology and legislation are connected.
Ling, R. (2008). Mobile Communication: The Social Implications of Mobile Communication. Retrieved May 24, 2008 from http://mobilesociety.ning.com/.
Mobile Communication is a social networking site focused on the academic analysis of mobile communication in society. Created by Rich Ling, an author and editor of the Mobile Communications Research Annual, the site aims to create dialogue about the social implications of mobile technology from a variety of users through blog posts, forum discussions, and shared links. With a diverse network of contributors, Mobile Communications uses contemporary technology as a way to provide information to the public sphere about the evolving technology of the cell phone. This site would be particularly useful for researchers and journalists alike who are interested in public opinion regarding mobile communication, and who could use links to other sources of information.
For Profit Sources
Macintosh. (2008). iTunes: Ringtone Store. Retrieved June 9, 2008 from http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/ringtones.html.
This website offers iPhone users the opportunity to create their own personalized ringtones with their iTunes playlist. Users can stop and start whichever song they choose from their playlist and apply it as their ringtone. Apple advertises “Infinite Possibilities,” saying that you can personalize your ringtones for each of your callers, or use them as an alarm. This site may be of interest to a journalist or researcher that wanted to know more about Apple products, or who were interested in the merging of technologies, i.e. the Mp3 player and the cell phone.
Wirefly. (2008). Wirefly: The Cell Phone Superstore. Retrieved June 9, 2008
Wirefly is a privately owned company based in the US that is dedicated to offering its customers the cheapest wireless plans. The company has been the Internet’s top authorized seller of cell phones from every major carrier in the states since 2003. They have created partnerships with AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Sprint PCS, Nextel, and Alltel so that the shoppers are tied to legitimate wireless networks. This website would be of interest to a researcher or journalist who wants to know more about what companies are selling what products at what prices and what the top rated cell phones and cell phone accessories are.
Multimedia Sources
Julie Ask. (6 October, 2006). “Kennedy” On His Cell Phone: A photograph. http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/analysts/ask/archives/AMB%2 0Single%20Masai%20on%20Cell%20Phone.jpg
This image is particularly interesting because it shows a man from the Masai African tribe using a cell phone, an image most people would find quite contradictory. Many people assume that tribal and indigenous cultures are isolated from technology, but the rate at which mobile technology is developing is quite alarming. A journalist may use this image in conjunct with an article about the global market for mobile technology. It presents a startling contrast that would visually appeal to readers.
CBC (Producer), (June 2008). Cell Phones: The Ring Heard Round the World. [Documentary]. Canada, CBC.
This CBC documentary explores the possibilities of cell phone usage through interviews with celebrities, and visits rural villages where young children learn to speak English through mobile games. The ‘village phone lady’ from Rwanda explains how she is helping local villagers to cross the digital divide and climb out of poverty. Cell Phones explores territory both in and outside of North America and predicts by the year 2010, nearly 90% of the world will own a cell phone. This documentary would be useful for a researcher or a journalist interested in finding out about the ‘cell phone revolution’ so to speak, and its rapidly developing popularity.
WGN (Network). October 2007) WGN Cyberguy: Cell Phone Etiquitte. http://youtube.com/watch?v=1TRDNdDWYDU. United States, WGN.
This news clip reviews cell phone etiquitte from an ettiquite coach who lends advice on tableside manners when it comes to texting and answering phone calls. The coach suggests that texting table side is demeaning and devaluing to the present company who should always come first. It asks the question “Is technology making our manners even worse?” and leaves it up to the viewers to decide. This clip would be good for a journalist or researcher who wants to know how traditional etiquette rules coincide with today’s mediated technology.
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