Reinventing the Telephone: Difference between revisions

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...or you could just text their cell phones.

Basically, when somebody in a show (set in the 'present day' or even [[Twenty Minutes Into the Future]]) uses a [[Rule of Cool|pointlessly cool]] method of communication, which is frequently [[Cool but Impractical|lot less practical]] than the ordinary, everyday type. Arguably, telepathic communication ''would'' be better, depending on exactly how many [[Pstandard Psychic Pstance|strange hand gestures]] you have to make, whether it allows for [[Poke in the Third Eye|protection from "brain tapping"]], and whether it can inflict [[Psychic Nosebleed~~|Psychic Nosebleeds~~]], but all the others...

Basically, when somebody in a show (set in the 'present day' or even [[Twenty Minutes Into the Future]]) uses a [[Rule of Cool|pointlessly cool]] method of communication, which is frequently [[Cool but Impractical|lot less practical]] than the ordinary, everyday type. Arguably, telepathic communication ''would'' be better, depending on exactly how many [[Pstandard Psychic Pstance|strange hand gestures]] you have to make, whether it allows for [[Poke in the Third Eye|protection from "brain tapping"]], and whether it can inflict [[Psychic Nosebleed]]s, but all the others...

Frequently [[Lampshaded]] either by somebody pointing out that it would be easier to just phone 'em, or by somebody (Often a [[Genre Savvy]] individual) suggesting this kind of communication, only for the person to respond "Well, yeah, I ''could'' do that, but it would be faster to just send him an e-mail..."

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* Defied in ''[[Narbonic]]'' [http://www.webcomicsnation.com/shaenongarrity/narbonic_plus/series.php?view=archive&chapter=39373&name=narbonic_plus#strip3 here].

** And again [http://www.webcomicsnation.com/shaenongarrity/narbonic_plus/series.php?view=archive&chapter=41717#strip6 here]

* [http://www.agirlandherfed.com/comic/?602 Preparing for battle] in ''[[A Girl and Her Fed]]'' ~~-- with~~ [[Lampshade Hanging|lampshade]] and [[Justified Trope|justification]].

* [http://www.agirlandherfed.com/comic/?602 Preparing for battle] in ''[[A Girl and Her Fed]]''—with [[Lampshade Hanging|lampshade]] and [[Justified Trope|justification]].

== Western Animation ==

* In ''[[The Tick (animation)]]'' episode "The Tick vs. Arthur's Bank Account," the Tick presents the mayor a Tick signal to flash onto a conveniently passing cloudbank when he is needed. The mayor promptly points out, "We have your phone number." The Tick's reply: "Also useful."

** Of course, the Tick parodied [[Batman]]'s [[Bat Signal]], which is one of the earlier versions of the trope. At least back then there weren't any cell phones, but regular ~~phones -- as~~ well as the ''Bat-Phone'' ~~-- did~~ exist.

** Of course, the Tick parodied [[Batman]]'s [[Bat Signal]], which is one of the earlier versions of the trope. At least back then there weren't any cell phones, but regular phones—as well as the ''Bat-Phone''—did exist.

** The Bat-Phone only existed in [[Batman (TV series)|the 60s TV series]]; in less ludicrous versions, the idea of a dedicated phone line between the police station and Batman's ''secret headquarters'' was seen as a bad idea. The Batphone made its first comics appearance in 2003, as an encrypted cellphone.

* In one episode of ''[[Duckman]]'', a smoke signal comes in for Cornfed, who has just been fired. When Duckman screams out the window that Cornfed no longer works there, the Indian who sent the signal decides to call him at home... with his cell phone.