THE CELL PHONE COMMODITYBy: Jason Heggelke

MARX’S DEFINITION OF A COMMODITY

A commodity is an external object, a thing which through its qualities satisfies human needs of whatever kind.

HOW IS A CELL PHONE A COMMODITY? Cell phones were originally meant for

communication. As we see today the in the latest forms cell

phones are practically computers in our pockets.

There are fewer limitations as time progresses, and cell phones can complete the same tasks as computers with a few exceptions.

CELL PHONE STATISTICS IN THE U.S.

86% have sent or received a text message 82% used the internet/web browser 75% checked, sent, or received an Email 63% accessed some form of social media

(Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, ect…) 62% downloaded an app 38% streamed music 28% watched videos or mobile TV

All based on usage of at least once per month (Source: Nielsen, February 2013)

A SHIFT IN COMMUNICATION From calls To texts To social media To face-time To Snapchats There is constantly a remediation in progress for

the current way we communicate. Is it affecting our interpersonal communications

skills? Are the new forms of communication affecting our

generation and future generations? Today you can apply for a position and have an

interview all without meeting someone in person. It seems that person to person communication is

diminishing due to the advances in technology.

QUESTIONS:

What do you use your cell phone for?

How long could you go without it?

Would you consider it a commodity

SOURCES: http://www.cla.purdue.edu/english/theory/mar

xism/terms/termsmainframe.html

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/commodity?s=t

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d50i8Qk6Aj8

http://mobiforge.com/research-analysis/global-mobile-statistics-2014-home-all-latest-stats-mobile-web-apps-marketing-advertising-subscriber