At the nexus of neology, theology, technology
We’ve all experienced it, and most of us have probably done it:
You’re talking with someone in a social or business situation and a cell phone rings. Maybe it’s your phone; maybe it’s the other person’s. Either way, the previous conversation ends abruptly, because in the modern communications hierarchy the outside phone call or text message generally takes priority over mere face-to-face, human-to-human interaction.
Sure, it’s rude. But most people do it anyway, sometimes with a quick word of apology to the ignored party, but often not. And while some may not find the practice socially acceptable, the battle against it is quickly being lost.
Loading ...It is, in other words, an increasingly common aspect of modern life. But as far as I can determine, we have invented no term for it. And to tame it, we must name it.
That claim might sound odd to some, but for millenia experts in the human psyche have understood the power of naming. Once given a name, any danger somehow becomes less frightening. Once something is named, our brains can begin to plot to bring it under control.
It is no accident that in the book of Genesis, the animals are brought to Adam one by one so that he can name them, and by doing so establish dominance over them. In some sects, the fact that Adam was granted the right to name Eve is still cited as evidence that God intended man to be superior to woman.
Conversely, in the Jewish tradition the name of G-d can neither be uttered nor written, because He cannot and should not be captured in a word.
So, back to the original question: What do we call this phenomenon? We can’t develop social norms for something that we can’t even name. The phrase used above, “technological capture,” might be descriptive but it is also bulky and awkward. I don’t think it’s going to catch on.
Therefore, I propose the problem be “crowdsourced,” itself a new phenomenon that could not be understood until it was named. Suggest a term and throw it out, to see what catches on. Earn a little bit of immortality by making a contribution to the English language.
My own lame proposal is to call it an “e-ruption,” with the verb form “e-rupt”. As in, “it’s rude to e-rupt a conversation.” Or “don’t e-rupt me, bro.” Or “the conversation was so boring that I had to fake an e-ruption to escape.”
– Jay Bookman
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456 comments Add your comment
stands for decibels
July 2nd, 2012
3:11 pm
hmm. Lemme try Jay’s suggestion it in a sentence…
“For e-ruptions lasting more than four hours, seek tech support help immediately.”
Yep. Works for me.
Doggone/GA
July 2nd, 2012
3:13 pm
Jay – you left out in interruption: the breaking off of conversations on one blog, in order to move to a new one!
JamVet
July 2nd, 2012
3:14 pm
I’m Joe Bidening Brosephus.
Call it jackassery…
Paul
July 2nd, 2012
3:15 pm
Jay
Heh heh heh. Good one.
How ’bout ‘techout” or “tek-out”? Use technology to take yourself out of the current situation.
It has the added advantage of subliminally suggesting ‘takeout’ which means food which means Americans are already predisposed to adopt it.
getalife
July 2nd, 2012
3:15 pm
Rude is all the rage.
You might want to write about Syria and the deal Clinton warned might fail.
What a freaking mess,
Reminds me of Iraq.
GT
July 2nd, 2012
3:16 pm
Ain’t got nothing…
Paul
July 2nd, 2012
3:16 pm
Steve Atl
Downstairs.
Sheesh…….
stands for decibels
July 2nd, 2012
3:17 pm
Well, Obamacare is now official, which means
The term “e-rupt” also applies to off-topic copy/paste spammers, yes?
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
July 2nd, 2012
3:17 pm
Or “the conversation was so boring that I had to fake an e-ruption to escape.”
She was so ugly, my wingman had to e-rupt.
Paul
July 2nd, 2012
3:17 pm
Jay
We also need a term to describe what Steve Atl attempted.
Something more penetrating than ‘hijack.”
stands for decibels
July 2nd, 2012
3:17 pm
It’s not so easy to fake an e-ruption.
ty webb
July 2nd, 2012
3:19 pm
“e-ruptions” is a term that would be better used to describe an action that results from looking at too much internet porn.
g spot
July 2nd, 2012
3:19 pm
THATS A CLOWN ARTICLE BRO
stands for decibels
July 2nd, 2012
3:19 pm
“e-ruptions” is a term that would be better used to describe an action that results from looking at too much internet porn.
You write that like it’s a bad thing.
Erwin's cat
July 2nd, 2012
3:20 pm
it’s rudeology..
I think it’s contagious only because once that person has dismissed you, you do the same…..but but they started it
Doggone/GA
July 2nd, 2012
3:20 pm
Reminds me of a story I read many years ago. Someone gave the advice that you should have your phone near a door, so that if you needed to get out of a call you could reach out, ring the doorbell, and then say you had to go – someone was at the door. The person who relayed that story said she just always said “I’ve got to go, got a phone call” and then hung up before the othe person realized when she just said.
JamVet
July 2nd, 2012
3:21 pm
Steve, no way could I make it very far into that spamfest, but I will say that that first item looks VERY good. No more socialism for the rich and capitalism for the rest of us.
Tax wealth and undesirable behaviors, instead of overtaxing human labor and necessities.
And end this perverted corporate welfare and the picking of winners and losers…
Jay
July 2nd, 2012
3:21 pm
“The term “e-rupt” also applies to off-topic copy/paste spammers, yes?
Yes, good point! (I’ll pull down the earlier “e-ruption”)
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
July 2nd, 2012
3:21 pm
Shorter Steve Atl: But…but…but…OBAMA!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The term “e-rupt” also applies to off-topic copy/paste spammers, yes?
I prefer the tried and true, “rabbit hole”.
That Black Guy
July 2nd, 2012
3:22 pm
stands for decibels
July 2nd, 2012
3:11 pm
hmm. Lemme try Jay’s suggestion it in a sentence…
“For e-ruptions lasting more than four hours, seek tech support help immediately.”
Yep. Works for me
____________________________
Also, interesting topic, Jay.
I am one of those, unless it’s one of my parents, my daughters, or I’m expecting a call, I let voicemail catch the call.
g spot
July 2nd, 2012
3:22 pm
THAT JUST PENN-STATE JOURNALISM BRO
COVERING UP BAD THINGS SO YOU DONT LOOK BAD
Towncrier
July 2nd, 2012
3:22 pm
“THATS A CLOWN ARTICLE BRO…”
That would be clownish (if the article were actually so, which it is not).
Williebkind
July 2nd, 2012
3:23 pm
stands for decibels
July 2nd, 2012
3:17 pm
That is two funnies…you are on a role.
Towncrier
July 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
““The term “e-rupt” also applies to off-topic copy/paste spammers, yes?”
I think that would be “e-serting”.
That Black Guy
July 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
Also Jay, I lost a bunch of emails, and the one you sent me with They BOTH Suck’s email address was among them. Can you resend it or send him mine?
Jay
July 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
“tech-out” could work. If we can generate a handful of candidates, I might put up a poll of the best of ‘em.
East Lake Ira
July 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
I think you nailed it when you labeled it as rude.
Rude behaviour is the fault of the person’s parents.
When this occurs IRL and it’s not a boss doing it, I just leave. When some person comes over near my table at a restaurant to have a chat on his phone, I join in till they leave. Always with a smile of course…
In short, I don’t tolerate this type of behaviour unless my paycheck is in play.
Thulsa Doom
July 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
Being old fashioned and all I’ll just call it what it is- rudeness.
stands for decibels
July 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
Tech-out? Not bad, Paul.
It has the added advantage of subliminally suggesting ‘takeout’ which means food which means Americans are already predisposed to adopt it.
As long as we’re there, consider that use of the term “take out,” as in, “take out this military target” has grown exponentially more popular as a euphemism for the good old-fashioned verb “kill” that we used to use.
Mighty Righty
July 2nd, 2012
3:27 pm
Washington Post Admints Lying about Romeny Outsourcing Jobs While at Bain Capital
After being caught for the third time in as many months coordinating with the Obama campaign to attack Mitt Romney, the Washington Post finally — in the most cowardly and slippery manner imaginable — came clean today regarding the provably false charge that the presumptive GOP nominee outsourced American jobs during his tenure at Bain Capital:
The above is a reprint from the Washington Examiner. The news isn’t that the Washington Post lied. We all know that the Obama controlled news organizations lie whenever it can to help the president. The news is they admitted it. Honesty is very strange coming froma liberal organization.
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:27 pm
You’re talking with someone in a social or business situation and a cell phone rings. Maybe it’s your phone; maybe it’s the other person’s. Either way, the previous conversation ends abruptly, because in the modern communications hierarchy the outside phone call or text message generally takes priority over mere face-to-face, human-to-human interaction.
Sure, it’s rude. But most people do it anyway, sometimes with a quick word of apology to the ignored party, but often not. And while some may not find the practice socially acceptable, the battle against it is quickly being lost.
Yep. Personally I don’t find it rude on either end. I find it annoying that whatever it was we were talking about had to end right then, and hope I can get back to it when the cell conversation is over, also from both ends.
Maybe I’m just weird that way.
Williebkind
July 2nd, 2012
3:27 pm
Anderson Cooper: ‘The fact is, I’m gay’
Another CNN employee who likes male e-ruptions. What is that about 50% of CNN is gay?
josef
July 2nd, 2012
3:28 pm
I’ve got plenty, but none that would get passed our blue nosed b*tch, so I’ll cast my vote with the Imam’s,,,
Tell you what IS fun, though, and that’s to join in the conversation…the looks you get of “how rude…”
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:28 pm
I do like e-ruption. The problem is in speech that will probably not work.
JamVet
July 2nd, 2012
3:30 pm
What is that about 50% of the neocons are homophobic?
Erwin's cat
July 2nd, 2012
3:30 pm
I have theses devices to give ME easy access to the rest of the world…not the other way around
DannyX
July 2nd, 2012
3:30 pm
“The term “e-rupt” also applies to off-topic copy/paste spammers, yes?”
“Yes, good point! (I’ll pull down the earlier “e-ruption”)”
I think the term for that is e-jack-ulate.
East Lake Ira
July 2nd, 2012
3:31 pm
How about e-diction if we have to name it?
I’m still a firm believer in just leaving though.
East Lake Ira
July 2nd, 2012
3:32 pm
First person to build a jammer into a smartphone will have my eternal thanks.
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:32 pm
“tech-out” could work. If we can generate a handful of candidates, I might put up a poll of the best of ‘em.
You could also say “hey man, you just teched out” like when you tell someone they spaced out.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
July 2nd, 2012
3:32 pm
Honesty is very strange coming froma[sic] liberal organization.
The smoking gun is the mushroom cloud.
Just sayin’.
Mr. Holmes
July 2nd, 2012
3:33 pm
Essentially humans are synching themselves with messages incoming to and through their various platforms, and sync is already an understood term.
So … “autosync?” “Self-sync?” “Message-sync?” “Homosync?”
That Black Guy
July 2nd, 2012
3:33 pm
Towncrier
July 2nd, 2012
3:22 pm
“THATS A CLOWN ARTICLE BRO…”
That would be clownish (if the article were actually so, which it is not).
_______________________________________________
TC, some people are better off being ignored. One easy way to identify them is when the run into a room shouting (ALL CAPS) using bad grammar.
If you ignore them, eventually they will get bored and find another squirrel to chase.
Erwin's cat
July 2nd, 2012
3:34 pm
more like a me-ruption or me-diction
JamVet
July 2nd, 2012
3:34 pm
First person to build a jammer into a smartphone will have my eternal thanks.
There is something similar that is already available.
I knew a teacher who had me help him set one up in his classroom.
Apparently it worked very well.
My only regret was not being able to watch the little twits faces when they couldn’t figure out what the hell was happening…
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:34 pm
How about e-diction if we have to name it?
Not bad
josef
July 2nd, 2012
3:35 pm
DANNY
E-jerk-ulate, maybe?
getalife
July 2nd, 2012
3:35 pm
Jay and his manners cracks me up. We are talking to cons here.
“Eric Fehrnstrom, Mitt Romney Adviser: Individual Mandate Is A ‘Penalty,’ Not A ‘Tax’ ” Aol.
willard took the scalia position.
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:35 pm
JamVet: I HAVE to know the name of that
Erwin's cat
July 2nd, 2012
3:36 pm
I believe jammers are illegal
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
Erwin’s Cat may be right. I think there are FCC laws against that.
Thulsa Doom
July 2nd, 2012
3:39 pm
Erwin’s cat,
Jammers are illegal. I still would like one though. Especially when I’m in a restaurant or movie theater.
Towncrier
July 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
“One easy way to identify them is when the run into a room shouting (ALL CAPS) using bad grammar.”
WAT DO U MEEN, TBG?
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
You could call someone who plugs themselves into the network frequently a “copper top” as a reference to the Matrix movie…
JamVet
July 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
I believe that this teacher (it was at a private secondary school) was going rogue and doing this on the down low.
I’ll have to call him and get the name for you, Adam…
Harwell
July 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
The trouble with “e-rupt” is that “erupt” is already a word and so the use of e-rupt is confusing. How about “e-block” instead, since you’re using technology to block the ongoing conversation? Usage would be, “Don’t e-block me that way” or “We were talking, and then she e-blocked me.”
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
mobile drone?
Mighty Righty
July 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
It is, in other words, an increasingly common aspect of modern life. But as far as I can determine, we have invented no term for it. And to tame it, we must name it.
Jay it already has a name. It is called “rude”. My friends, relatives and business associates know I will not interupt a conversation to answer the phone or a text message. They may leave a message or call back. When at dinner I put the phone on buzz and leave it in the car. when at home I ignore it or answer with a mesage that I am busy and will call back. It is really simple. If it’s important they will call back, if its not it will wait.
Jay
July 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
Mr. Holmes:
“Sync-out”, as in “drop out”?
That Black Guy
July 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
Good grief!
Why does THIS topic have to turn into a partisan hackfest?
Daymn, put away your pooball guns and relax. It’s actually a pretty good topic.
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
e-block also seconded.
carlosgvv
July 2nd, 2012
3:42 pm
If someone withdraws from a conversation to page thru messages or emails, then the term for it was invented long ago. It’s called “bad manners”.
Jay
July 2nd, 2012
3:42 pm
Then when you finish, you “sync-in” again?
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:42 pm
JamVet: If it’s not a product to buy, but rather a device to build, I still want to know. Speaking of which….
http://www.tricorderproject.org/
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
July 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
I believe jammers are illegal
I believe you are correct.
I’ll only take a phone call in a situation such as this if I had requested that someone call me back and was waiting on their call.
Maybe we can make it socially acceptable to explain in advance to the person/people we are face to face with that we are expecting a phone call.
The technology that chaps my ass is call waiting.
The phone co. used to provide a free service to let others know that you were currently engaged in a phone conversation — the busy signal.
Doggone/GA
July 2nd, 2012
3:44 pm
Personally, I think e-rude covers it quite well.
Towncrier
July 2nd, 2012
3:44 pm
What…you mean the Washington Post might be biased?
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2012/07/02/Wapo-backs-off-romney-outsource-claim
That Black Guy
July 2nd, 2012
3:44 pm
Towncrier
July 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
“One easy way to identify them is when the run into a room shouting (ALL CAPS) using bad grammar.”
WAT DO U MEEN, TBG?
_________________________This vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv___________________________
g spot
July 2nd, 2012
3:19 pm
THATS A CLOWN ARTICLE BRO
__________________________________________________________
g spot is not worth you time, IMO.
Erwin's cat
July 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm
Doom,
I was a restaurant in Seattle that charged a surcharge or “tax” if your phone rang while in the restaurant or if you otherwise used it…it was strictly enforced…and they had a waiting line out the door
Some Guy
July 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm
Enter your comments here
JamVet
July 2nd, 2012
3:46 pm
Digital egotism.
E-rrogance.
Self-ebsorption.
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:46 pm
Erwin’s Cat: I was a restaurant in Seattle that charged a surcharge or “tax” if your phone rang while in the restaurant or if you otherwise used it…it was strictly enforced…and they had a waiting line out the door
Which restaurant was that? I used to live in Seattle..
Towncrier
July 2nd, 2012
3:46 pm
Now he is complaining about money? I guess he should have taken those matching funds in 2008:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-campaign-call-affirms-money-anxiety/2012/07/01/gJQAqjIpGW_story.html?hpid=z12
g spot
July 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
listening to that black guy
gives me a case of the
TB-GB’s
bro
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
“mobile droning out,” or something.
“mobile manners” but maybe that sounds too positive.
That Black Guy
July 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
how about “tech-nore”
As in “I’m being tech-nored again”.
Texas Gravy
July 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
Throwing a few out…
e-nore, cell-shock. e-jacked?
Either way it’s plain e-rude.
oakhurstdawg
July 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
What about i-jack?
josef
July 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
Anybody for e-gnored
I’m being “e-gnored”
She’s having an e-gnorant chat with her mother-in-law, could you call back later?
O, he’s quite the e-gnoramus…
East Lake Ira
July 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
Jammers are illegal. 11K fine if caught and convicted. Bummer.
Mr. Holmes
July 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
Works for me. So this would be a term specifically for dropping out of a social interaction to do this task, rather than just a general term for the task itself?
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
July 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
What…you mean
the Washington PostBreitbart.com might be biased?Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
July 2nd, 2012
3:49 pm
Well, I just hate it when you’re talking to a punk and he starts thumbing thru his messages and stops paying attention to you. It’s just the worst manners in the world, is what it is.
People like them need to be horse-whipped. Matter of fact—excuse me, I think my cell phone’s ringing. It might be Joe Bill about our tee time next weekend. I’ll be back soon as I can.
Erwin's cat
July 2nd, 2012
3:49 pm
Adam – Bizzarro Italian Cafe….neat place, great food
td
July 2nd, 2012
3:49 pm
Since I was doing a little work and posted to your last blog a little late then I am going to post it here as well. Forgive me for being off topic:
Jay,
Your provided case study does not include the fact that the amount paid by a family that is Federally mandated to do so is a tax increase on that family. To otherwise deny it is a simple fallacy of the facts. Where do these new taxes get added and what % of GDP does this effect? This is also the largest regressive tax in the history of the country.
“The median U.S. family income is about $50,000. Family health coverage can easily run $20,000 a year — and rising quickly. In that scenario, the coverage mandate is essentially a 40 percent tax on that family, which is now required by law to ensure that every family member has qualifying coverage.”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/merrillmatthews/2012/06/29/is-obamacare-the-largest-tax-increase-in-u-s-history/
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:50 pm
how about “tech-nore”
As in “I’m being tech-nored again”.
YESS! That one I think is the best so far!
That Black Guy
July 2nd, 2012
3:50 pm
Oops. worth you time, should be “worth YOUR time”
Paul
July 2nd, 2012
3:50 pm
Erwin’s cat – Adam
Looked at that a couple years ago. Illegal here. Made in Israel, available Internet in NYC. Different sizes (back then) each covers a different radius. One about the size of a pack of cigarettes covers a classroom, easy.. or my favorite… a movie theater.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
July 2nd, 2012
3:51 pm
g spot is not worth you time, IMO.
That not what she said.
Mr. Holmes
July 2nd, 2012
3:51 pm
“I’m being tech-nored again”
Heh. I like that one. “E-gnored” is good too. Nice wordsmithing by josef.
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:51 pm
Erwins Cat: Huh. Wouldn’t have figured a restaurant like that in the U District. But I suppose that makes sense….
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:52 pm
tech-whipped?
g spot
July 2nd, 2012
3:52 pm
kamchak has wisdom
pay attention to g spot
unless you are anderson cooper
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:52 pm
tech-whipped being for those who just HAVE TO CHECK THEIR PHONE
Texas Gravy
July 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm
e-slapped?
mail-roaded?
Adam
July 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm
I think we have a poster who’s about to get the blog god smack down
That Black Guy
July 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
July 2nd, 2012
3:51 pm
g spot is not worth you time, IMO.
That not what she said.
______________________________
Thulsa Doom
July 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
Erwin’s cat,
That seattle restaurant policy sounds good. I really don’t care that much if someone has a cell conversation in a restaurant except that the problem is that often the person can’t hear the person they are talking to so they raise their voice louder and louder. Or they think they person they are talking to can’t hear them so they get louder and louder and LOUDER.
You can purchase one of those jammers for a pretty reasonable price I think $50-$100 or so. I’ve been meaning to do it just to use in a movie theater only. And even then I would give the person 10 seconds to tell the caller he’s in a movie theater and he’ll call him later. But if a conversation ensues its zapper time. And I wouldn’t use it in a restaurant unless someone is getting super loud and becoming an annoyance. Would be funny to see the look on their face when they keep getting zapped.
weetamoe
July 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
I’m not sure how *cons* e-rupted into the conversation but name-calling is indeed rude and there seems to be a lot of that here every day. That is truly enlightening, though. *By the dreary predictability and repetition of their name-calling ye shall know them.* I think that’s what the Higgs boson whispered but it sped by so fast I’m not certain. Oh those speeding nanoparticles!
Doggone/GA
July 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
“how about “tech-nore”
I like that one too. And someone who would to that is a tech-bore