On second thought: Maybe smartphones make us 'SuperStupid'?

By John D. Sutter, CNN
September 12, 2012 -- Updated 1506 GMT (2306 HKT) |



Some commenters say mobile phones are overpowering us.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Readers react to a CNN story on the powers of smarpthones
Instead of "superhuman," one reader says phones make us "SuperStupid"
Commenters raise issues of safety, health and social impact
"Smartphones have created a generation of narcissistic snobs"

(CNN) -- On Monday, I wrote a story arguing that smartphones have the potential to make us "superhuman." Commenters on the article sure didn't like that phrasing.

"Smartphones also make us SuperStupid," wrote one commenter, WWWYKI. "Just watch somebody with kids in the backseat as they text 'lol wut' and run red lights."

Fair point. For all of the benefits of an always-connected society -- one where phones help people in rural areas get information they never had access to, or bring medical professionals, at least virtually, into difficult-to-reach locations -- there are plenty of drawbacks, too.

As the commenters pointed out, these include physical dangers.

"The next time a teenager almost kills you while they are texting little love letters while driving you better hope you are superhuman!" wrote open400.

The battle of the smartphones