BlackBerry v. Spouse
Buzzing around the internet today is a ridiculous study from the Chicago Sun Times:
A new survey found that about 35 percent of professionals would pick their PDAs over their spouses if they had to choose.A surprising 87 percent take their personal digital assistants into their bedrooms, and 84 percent check them just before going to bed and as soon as they wake up, according to a work-life survey from Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. Another 85 percent say they look at their PDAs in the middle of the night.
Sounds to me like 35 percent of professionals do not fully understand the ramifications of losing half their stuff.
But what's worse is that many readers have emailed the story to ATL contending that the numbers for professionals "in the law" would be much, much higher.
Let's settle this after the jump.
I've placed bets around the internet that less than 30% of ATL's readership would chose to pda with their PDAs instead of with their spouses (I'll admit it, I'm chasing. Go to hell Brett Favre).
I know that some readers out there are stuck in terrible marriages, and I know that some readers have given up hope of ever finding someone spectacular enough to understand true greatness. But come on, a BlackBerry?
So what will it be? The old ball and chain or the new electronic chain? Vote below. And if you vote "incorrectly" please immediately seek the help you need.
(46) Comments
first to yawn
Says more about the lack of love for the spouses than it does for the love of the BB.
The 35% of people who would choose their bberies over their spouses should get a divorce; that's just plain weird.
If you work in biglaw I don't see how you would be able to not check your bbery before and after you wake up. It's part of the job nowadays.
This has got to be a joke.
Your best post of the day, Elie. Way to finish strong. Now you just need to not suck so bad from 9-5:05
"I've placed bets around the internet that less than 30% of ATL's readership would chose to pda with their PDAs instead of with their spouses (I'll admit it, I'm chasing. Go to hell Brett Farve)."
Huh?
(1) Makes no sense.
(2) At least two typos (not to mention grammar problems).
This story was reported by the NY Post on Sept. 15 and included in the non-sequiturs on Sept. 15. Why is it here again? Can you not even remember what you did 3 days ago, Elie?
i'm with #6 and i concur with a "WTF?"
This was an interesting idea WHEN IT APPEARED ON DRUDGE THREE WEEKS AGO!!! Come on. How about an original post idea? Or at least steal the idea in a more timely manner.
Fail.
i vote for my electric toothbrush. much more stimulating "conversation".
#7: today is the 19th. The 15th would be 4 days ago. HTH
I take back my props in light of comments 7 and 9.
#5.
9 here - it has been a long week. five days have been more like three weeks. This site has gone further downhill than Lehman's stock price.
Didn't I read about this a week ago?
You spelled Favre wrong. And I don't get the reference, other than a general contempt for the man.
Great post. Also, #6 is probably one of those that would prefer their PDA. Just like they'd prefer slightly better spelling over content. What a TOOL.
Maybe the 30% are thinking of it as "my current significant other" vs. "ever having a blackberry/pda again." You can always find a new significant other, but how could you ever talk to that new person without your means of communication?
"Sounds to me like 35 percent of professionals do not fully understand the ramifications of losing half their stuff." - huh?
"Farve?" Seriously?
Did Elie post this, or Lat? If Lat, way to go! Please don't leave us!
If Elie, HATED IT!
C'mon 18. That was actually a funny line. Pick on the man with something that actually blows. There is plenty to choose from.
16 -- "slightly better spelling." FYI, either something is spelled correctly, or it's not. There are not degrees of correct spelling.
wow. what are people doing with their b'berries these days. keeping on vibrate all night. certainly want to institute a no sharing policy!
Brett FaaavRAH
try to keep up, 18.
Joe Biden thinks TV personality Pat O'Brien would make a better president than Barack Obama.
http://tv.yahoo.com/news/article/urn:newsml:tv.eonline.com:20080918:29774__ER:85405
All the male lawyas give their spouses their blackberries at night so they can use the vibrating function while he works on the pile of documents he brought home. The females just use it themselves.
Elie was sitting on this story and brought it out at JUST the right time! A cherry on the top of another great day at ATL! Great job, Elie!
By the way, I think someone stepped in gum outside Fordham law. Can you get us an update on whether they were able to separate the gum from the sole of the shoe? This is the kind of hard-hitting reporting I know we can always expect from you!
#11 -- you're right, I saw that typo as soon as I hit "post comment", but thanks for pointing that out
"Sounds to me like 35 percent of professionals do not fully understand the ramifications of losing half their stuff. "
Oh, OK. Divorce. Split assets. . . . But this suggests that the assets are solely owned by the pda owner. If pda, then 100% ownership becomes 50% ownership, thus lose "half their stuff." But this is not really the way to characterize ownerhsip of assets in a marriage, which is joint ownership. So, it's not exactly losing half your stuff.
I agree with 18, not exactly the clearest of commentary. The constant typos don't help either. Geez, what passes as professional writers these days . . . .
29, you are the kind of guy I am talking about.
-out, 27
What percentage of people don't give a f-ck about people who carry Blackberries around? I'm guessing it's more than 80.
30 - yeah, you're right. Elie's post was not the clearest of commentary. I am glad your comment is so crystal clear.
pda = public display of affection.
Nice pun, Elie.
And I give my PDA to my SO so she can play Texas Hold'em King 2 while I am sawing logs.
Crackberry news is old. I'd definitely pick my PDA over MysTTTal.
6 and 9:
"I'll admit it, I'm chasing. Go to hell Brett Favre" - This is actually a funny line. Chasing is gambling terminology for following up bets that lose with riskier/ill-advised bets in hopes of recouping the earlier losses. It is similar to going "on tilt".
Elie was saying that he lost money gambling on Favre this weekend.
(a) Lawyers pull hotter spouses.
(b) Higher educated people have more sex.
Done
Why is this being posted again?
You suck, Elie.
What are the two spelling errors?
Kash has some decent breastage going on.
30 obviously never has been divorced. If you get a chance to try it, pass.
If you choose your BlackBerry over your spouse, and that choice occassions a divorce, and your spouse then gets the BlackBerry in the divorce, then I guess you're really screwed.
The results of this poll are rendered worthless by the poster's biased framing of the question.
Everything on this site was rendered useless long before this specific post...
my blackberry increases my stress level and makes me grouchy. my significant other destresses me and makes me happy.
the choice is obvious.