Aries, you said, “Is there a rational limit to the number of functions of a cell phone, compared to channeling those same energies and resources into more 'productive', meaningful areas?”

It seems to me that one of the most productive and meaningful things that humans do is to com-municate with each other. The energies and other resources used by cell phones are very minis-cule compared to traveling to see another person by airplane, automobile, train, bus, or bicycle. Even walking is probably more resource intensive given the required food, footwear, and path maintenance. Television, movies, even radio use much more in the way of resources.

Writing and mailing a letter is much more resource intense than communicating by cell phone.

What would be more productive and meaningful than human communication?

Not that I would advocate devoting all of our resources to manufacture and maintenance of cell phones and giving up on personal visits, movies and books.

As for “prostitution,” I’ve never been a prohibitionist.

Bob