Editorial No phony phones, please

From long experience of the breed, we tend to think mining people are more in touch with reality than, say, bankers, computer specialists, insurance salesmen, and others of that ilk. In fact, almost anybody. We’re inclined to believe, in our unsophisticated way, that mining, by its nature being very down to earth, the people that work at it are somewhat similarly inclined.

What, then, is going to be the mining fraternity’s reaction to the communications industry’s latest fantastic toy — a fake cellular phone you can install in your car that doesn’t actually work, but does miracles for your status as you are seen driving by talking, of course, to nobody.

It will go nowhere with us. Too phony. Leave it to the status seekers and social climbers, who think the 15 bucks the fake phone costs is worth it for just that one more rung up the ladder.

It’s a simple fact. We in mining are just too down to earth.