As long as we’re talking about bitching for the sake of bitching, what business is it of yours what I choose to do on a 5 hour train ride, or what I bring to a game?

The time I went to a friend’s band’s show at Hank’s Saloon, I think I was still reading The Mahabharata of Vyasa. So I had to spend a few hours reading when I was waiting for the bus back to Boston at Port Authority.

BTW, most of my traveling, period, is done alone. Whether it’s on the T to get away from the suburbs or my first international trip to go meet UK friends in London, at Whitby Gothic Weekend, or Glasgow, the trip there normally doesn’t involve others since I’m traveling to go meet the others I care about. That’s a lot of traveling time.

But then, I’ll still retort with saying do you still really need it? People are getting too use to being so connected all the time and short attention spans. C’mon. You’re on a four hour bus ride? I’m sure you’re with someone, can’t make conversation?
It’s just one more item you’ll have to be carrying around all day. And if you’re staying the night and getting a room or something, I’m guessing you’re going there first.

I dunno, I just have issues with always having to have technological devices around. Cell phones aside I guess. I always have my iPhone with me, but at least it’s small and I know I can easily keep it on hand relatively hassle free.

Or you could be on a day trip to New York from Boston, used it to keep yourself occupied on the four-hour bus ride, and of course have nowhere, but your body to put it for the game itself.

Or even just know that you’ll have some time to kill before the game so you had it to waste some time beforehand.

It doesn’t mean she has no attention span. It means that baseball can be boring even if we love it.

@Dane479 – I actually have an excellent attention span. It comes from being a runner – you develop a fierce amount of focus to propel your body for hours at a time. But, I do like to be connected. I don’t think I’m substantially different that anyone else my age.

@The beer comments – I don’t drink. I don’t tend to hang out with drinkers. I’m not really worried about it. If it did break, it would be a flat $200 to have it fixed. I carry it in a water-resistant MacCase bag when I’m not using it.

Zaranie: Yeah–I think it’s less about what the devices can do and more about the *perception* of what they can do.

Ron, I’m with you. First, I’m a chronic rule-follower, myself–not that that’s a bad thing. Plus, I just don’t trust drunken strangers around my new toys.

Zaranie: That’s an excellent question. I suspect that the Kindle is allowed in because it doesn’t connect with the outside world in the way that the iPad does. I think it’s not so much that the iPad is a threat, but that people don’t really “get it.” For example, the woman originally told Bri that she couldn’t bring it in because of its camera, though the iPad actually doesn’t have a camera (though my iPhone does).

Dane479: I get where you’re coming from. Even as a Red Sox fan, I can’t say that I never played with my phone while attending a game at Fenway. I think this speaks to our attention spans as a society. Those of us who are plugged in are used to instant information and constant stimulation.

That said, I’ve never used my phone during a concert or comedy performance except to take an photo or video of the action. (And even then, I only do it when it’s allowed.)

Brianna mentioned that she has seen kindles at games. I wonder if the kindle or other ereaders are banned at Yankee Stadium. My husband carries his with them everywhere we go.