Electronics have evolved to be an important part of our lives and we have adjusted to the technology and advantages of television, and computers. One of the most noticeable of the evolution is the cell phone. Almost everyone we know has one, especially the young people. How often have we seen them, and often adults, walking with a cell phone or a Bluetooth (I don’t know how it got that name) in their ear?

They have a feature called texting that seems to be very popular and has been badly abused. So badly that it has been called a hazard while driving. Young people have piled up their cars and caused death and mayhem because of the distraction of texting. What could be so important that they had to text while weaving in and out of traffic? It has been outlawed and for a good reason.

As someone who still remembers the rotary phone dial, this is a real upgrade in communication. People are able to keep tabs on family and to immediately take advantage of relaying information in business very quickly. The cell phone has virtually made the corner pay phone obsolete.

These phones allow people to take pictures, store addresses and hook up to the Internet. It is not only a communication device, but actually a miniature computer that is easy and convenient to use at practically any time. The communication companies allow access virtually everywhere. Only the most remote of locations are off limits to this electronic miracle.

Now, the communication network includes a feature called On Star that is part of most new automobiles. For a price one can sit in their car and with just their voice, dial a phone number and speak to almost anyone in the world. They also can get directions if they are lost because the feature includes a GPS whereby somebody, somewhere knows exactly where you are and where you are going.

If you have an accident, you can radio for help and the police can zero in on your location and bring help. Some people just have a GPS that tells them how to get to any location and even tells them the best route and gives traffic updates. This is truly a marvelous application of technology involving the communication satellites.

The downside is that with this technology and sophistication involved, if a person has a GPS or cell phone, somebody, somewhere knows exactly where you are at any time. For most, this isn’t a big problem, but some think this infringes on their privacy. They may be right. This technology can be a double edged sword.

The camera feature in most cell phones has aided police in solving crimes because a citizen with the phone was able to record an incident and having the photo, or even, because of the ability to make a movie of an event, gave them enough information and proof that a crime was committed and who did it.

Electronics are great and very useful for communications. The TV has pretty much replaced newspapers and their circulation has dropped nationwide. One of the major news magazines went out of business because of the Internet. Even movie theatres have had big competition because of computers and the use of the DVD where people can watch a favorite flick in their own home using the TV.

Entertainment is a big part of the average American’s life and convenience is a huge motivator. So when you ask the average male what electronic device is the most valuable, some who are still computer illiterate, (and some who are not) will probably reply: “The remote.”

Big miracles can come in small packages.