Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

James Drake left a comment on another post saying that I "protest a bit too much." He said, in particular, that I used to "anathematize" cellphones—and now have one. First, anyone who thought that my posts about cellphones were anything other than playful jesting needs to take a valium. It was all in fun, people! You know, jesting! Teasing! What I enjoyed about the posts (and comments) is that it forced me to articulate just what it is about cellphones that makes them leashes. I said many times that the proper response to my claim is not to deny being leashed; it is to admit to being leashed and then add, "but I don't mind being leashed." Some people must be leashed for their jobs. There is nothing wrong with this. Others don't mind being leashed to certain others, such as family members. Second, the word "anathematize" is too strong to express my sentiment. I wasn't cursing cellphones so much as expressing wonderment why anyone would want one. I certainly wasn't cursing any people. My best friends and many of my family members have cellphones. Ask them whether I teased them in person. I teased them relentlessly, and they teased me right back. As for why I broke down and bought a cellphone, you'll have to guess. Let me just say that there are certain people to whom I don't mind being leashed.