I admit it. I am positive I am the only person on this planet who does not currently own or use a personal cell phone daily. What am I missing out on?

What is the purpose of bringing a personal cell phone to the library, restaurant or theater, just to be reminded to turn them off? Forget cell phone etiquette. The fact that it’s an issue at all seems to suggest that they really aren’t necessary. Will the universe come to a screeching halt if someone cannot reach you while you’re in a movie theater, class or grocery store? And driving while talking on a cell is dangerous for obvious reasons.

Being forced to listen to any stranger’s personal conversation in a bus, elevator, subway, doctor’s office or any other public place is my biggest pet peeve.

It’s common courtesy to at least make eye contact with the people around you in a waiting environment instead of whipping out the cell to make or take a call.

Instead of creating a “global community,” and making major communications easier and faster, personal cell phones have, to some extent, promoted a sense of isolation.

Let’s say you’re in the grocery store check out line. You might be inclined to strike up some small talk with the person behind you while you wait.

Instead, their cell rings, and they plummet deep into conversation with Aunt Betty from Colorado about the results of her biopsy. Or when the girl sitting next to you on CyRide dials up and begins an in-depth conversation with “Susan” about her break-up with Steve over the weekend.

Are you at fault for eavesdropping? How can you not help but overhear in a public place? It makes me feel like I’m the one being rude by intruding on a private conversation where there’s no way to retreat.

Personal cell phones are totally unnecessary. If not used with proper etiquette, they rob people of the responsibility to interact with those nearest to them.

They’re merely a matter of convenience. In fact, most of our advanced technology today is not crucial to survival, but we’re told to believe we absolutely have to have and deserve it.

Cell phone companies are partially to blame for the ridiculous proliferation of personal cell phones. Obviously, the companies wouldn’t bother if we weren’t buying phones by the masses. They all offer dirt-cheap competitive rates and market themselves as the perfect solution to “staying in touch with family and friends.”

My parents purchased a cell phone only because the long-distance rates are better than the company that provides them with their home phone rates.

On the other hand, having a cell phone is a relief when you have car trouble on the road. That’s about the only time I’ve regretted not purchasing one. But if all cars came equipped with phones built in — something you couldn’t remove — you wouldn’t need your own. (It must be a conspiracy among the auto, advertising and cell phone industries.)

Note that my emphasis has been on personal cell phones — not cell phones for the job.

Cell phones used for professional purposes are entirely different. That makes sense.

Perhaps the companies who employ people whose jobs necessitate a cell phone should provide them to their employees, rather than consumers purchasing them on their own for primarily personal use.

I hear people say almost daily “I just can’t live without my cell phone” as if they were referring to their drinking water. That we have become so dependent on technology we don’t need reflects the excessiveness and overconsumption of modern society.

We seem to have no idea how to cope when the computers crash or malfunction in the workplace and almost all productivity screeches to a halt while everyone waits for “tech support.”

I’m not against technological advances, but we need to consider more carefully what effect some of it has on society.

In the meantime, I will continue to rebel against conformity, against cell phone companies and against the temptation to be rude by refusing to own a cell phone.

Taking a stand on this issue will in no way effect the production and sales of cell phones, but that’s OK. It’s one less bill I have to pay.