The Columnist Manifesto

Read your cell phone contract. There's probably language in there saying that you assume the risk to your health from using the cell phone. It may or may not refer explicitly to the evidence that the concentration of -- what? -- electromagnetic waves or something to your head from holding the cell phone up to your ear may cause an increased incidence of brain cancer. I'm not sure if I have my facts straight, but the assumption of risk clause is in there.

Anyway, following some advice on the subject, I bought a handsfree headset to use with my cell phone. It's the "ear bud" kind that fits in your ear like an iPod or Walkman headphone, and it has a little microphone built onto the cord at around chin level. It works quite well, and at a distance, is inconspicuous enough that when you're having a cellphone conversation walking on the street, you look like a crazy person talking to himself.

I just had this disconcerting experience today, while removing my headset from my briefcase. A paper clip was stuck to it. I let the earpiece dangle, and the paper clip continued sticking. The earpiece is a magnet.

Hmmm. Not sure I like that...

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