The Thumbs Have It (or Some Unexpected Hazards of BlackBerry Use)

Previously, if you asked me about the greatest innovation free car insurance quote online thumbs, I would have given the textbook answer: opposable thumbs allow us to grasp tools. Or, I might have thought wistfully of the time when thumbing it wasnt an invitation to meet serial killers. And perhaps Id wonder what Siskel and Ebert would have done if not for their thumbs? Yet, while I admire those among us blessed with green thumbs, I never thought Id see the day when being all thumbs is a compliment.

But, we are fast becoming a thumb-centric society. Thanks to cell phones, BlackBerry's and Gameboys, our life insurance quote are now coming out of the womb grabbing the world by their thumbs. Its no wonder that their first words are no longer Mama or Dada, but Mario and DonkeyKong; and that their first stuffed animals come with a userid, password, and an invitation to www.webkinz.com. Toto, I dont think were in Kansas anymore. Now go get me some Webkinz money so I can visit the W shop.

What effect is this having on the already wacky world we live in? Last year a London study found that Generation Y rings doorbells with their thumbs. I didnt believe this as personally Im partial to my index finger, and thought I should do my own research. I nixed my initial plan to follow some of my 20-something neighbors around. (I lived in the city at the time, where its practically a car insurance rate quotes pas to walk down the street and not be on your BlackBerry or Blue Tooth.) But I was worried that Id be labeled as the neighborhood debt helpline lady. Instead I surveyed a few of my young colleagues, by email of course. Their answer? Ring doorbells? Why do that? Wouldnt you just text them to say youre out front? Once again, the thumbs have it. (Note to self: Do not invest money in any company that manufactures doorbells.)

However, there is even more fallout from all this mind-numbing thumb-centricity. The newly-identified malady: BlackBerry Thumb. No, its not what Little Jack Horner got when he stuck his thumb in that pie. Its actually tendonitis or aggravation of underlying arthritis by the repetitive motion required by BlackBerry use. Fortunately, if you live in NYC (where else?), they have spas that now offer specific therapies for BlackBerry Thumb, Cell Phone Acne and Tech Neck, the latest technology-related injuries.

Yet, sore thumbs arent the only BlackBerry backlash. Recent articles in the Wall Street Journal and on Forbes.com have labeled our children BlackBerry Orphans and even asked the question Is Your BlackBerry Ruining Your Sex Life? Ill admit responsibility for adding to somewhat useless, albeit amusing, blog fodder as the author of the latter. Still, I do confess that my research for that article delayed my own purchase of a BlackBerry for a few months. But now Im BlackBerrying with the best of them, and if my child wants my attention, he can stop whining and text me.

As for the effect on my social life, I do find that with everyones impossibly busy schedules, PDAs Personal Digital Assistants play a far larger role in my life than PDAs Public vardenafil of Affection. So, really, how can my BlackBerry ruin what doesnt exist in the first place? In the meantime, anyone want to thumbwrestle?

Diane K. Danielson is the CEO of DowntownWomensClub.com DowntownWomensClub.com, a business network and career website for women. For more of her random musing, check out her blog at womensDISH.com womensDISH.com