Is courtesy going out of style?
The question arises in response to the possibility of lifting a ban on in-flight cellphone calls.
No collective, public hallelujah greeted the FCC chairman's proposal to eliminate the "outdated and restrictive" prohibition. Debate among members of the Federal Communications Commission began Thursday.
An Associated Press-GfK poll revealed 48 percent of Americans oppose allowing the use of cellphones during flights, in contrast to 19 percent in support. Another 30 percent offered no opinion.
Instead of welcoming the added convenience, a majority of respondents fear escalating discourtesy. They are alarmed at the prospect of becoming a captive audience among incessant yammering.
The cellphone has become a ubiquitous element of public life. Unlike its electronic brethren - e-readers, tablets, laptops - equipped with earphones, cellphone conversations typically are audible.
The argument can be made that the proliferation of mobile electronic devices reflects the human appetite for self-absorption. We constantly must be entertaining ourselves, we must check who is responding to us, we must expound our opinions, advice and expertise.
We surf, search, instant message, text, game, blog, post and tweet.
Routine reminders now are issued to audiences at movies, plays, concerts and church services to turn off cellphones and other electronic devices. In other words: Be courteous.
The poll responses may mirror a growing backlash against discourteous behavior. And, by definition, discourtesy is self-absorbed behavior that ignores the wishes or preferences of other people.
Are the results of the phones-on-flights poll linked to those of another recent poll that revealed rampant distrust of institutions, privacy protections, other people and more?
And if mistrust and discourtesy are increasing, does that indicate honesty and civility are receding?
Finally, is electronic preoccupation - including social media - ironically exacerbating anti-social behavior?
An examination of recent poll results suggests our social fabric is in need of mending.