In King's 'Cell', would speakerphone zombify you?

[BlackThorn]

If someone near you had the speakerphone turned on through their up to date cell phones when the cell phone human BIOS worm (aka the pulse) turned on in October, would you become a phoner?

Or did your head need to physically be near the phone?

(I might guess speakerphone would zombify you too)

Wadda ya think?

[sam peebles]

I don't see why your proximity to the phone would matter as long as you heard the pulse. Speakerphone would work methinks.

[Perse Jr.]

Hhmmm...that's a good question. I never re-read Cell, but I do remember Pixie Dark and Pixie Light from the very beginning of the book. I know one was just listening in on the other's phone converation, and the one listening in had a "delayed" zombification (is that a word?).

[jenboxer77]

Good question! I think that speaker phone counts, but I like the delayed zombification reference! I still think about Cell and give my cell phone the evil eye every once in a while...

[Cowboy]

I think it would. Depending on how close you were would determine how much of a dose you got.

[JRLauer]

I think it would work. If you hear the pulse, your done, reguardless of how much background noise there might be.

[PatInTheHat]

And would it matter at all if they were roll over minutes...during peak hours no less:eyebrow:?

[Lien]

After reading the book I was afraid of touching my cell phone for about two weeks :oo:

[mashead2000]

Haha good question! maybe only the person who the phones contracted too gets affected? haha

[zhx0594]

:wow:

[Taz]

Good question! I think that speaker phone counts, but I like the delayed zombification reference! I still think about Cell and give my cell phone the evil eye every once in a while...


I know exactly what you mean, I know this isn't particularily helpful, but your message tickled me so I had to respond...but in answer to the question, I think yes, speakerphone would work, like others have said, all you would need was to hear the pulse.

[karend3]

I'm assuming it would zombify you and others in your vicinity.

[PlagueofGod]

maybe if they where close enough, but not like across the street or in the next room, Pixie Dark was close to the speaker of Pixie Lights phone and became somewhat of a phoner.:vomit::dunno:

[The Outsider]

I think if it was speakerphone, it just seems like the nature of a signal on a phone would have to be close to affect you, and that speakerphone wouldn't affect that, since speakerphone only affects volume. I don't know technical phone language, but what I'm saying that what you actually hear has nothing to do with it, the signal was some sort of inaudible sort of thing that broadcasted at close proximitiy to a phone connected to a satellite.

[fredo]

Zombify. Love that. Sure, like PlaugeofGod said, Pixie Dark got a little tingle from eavesdropping on her friend. Wonder how many "illegal" wire tappers got their brains scrambled? That'll teach you, CIA. HA!

[Kmart85]

I definitely think it would be possible for speakerphone to work in small amounts. The way the delayed reaction worked on Pixie Dark and Light was due to them listening at the same time. I think if they would have had it on speakerphone, the reaction would have been quicker. But I also don't think others would have really had much of an impact on other people around. I guess, in all actuality, it really depends on how LOUD you have the speaker. Right? :oo:
Anyway, that was my first post on this site. CELL was one of my all time faves of SK's. I've read it three times so far and plan to read it more and more in the near future!
I'm excited to post more later! Thank you for asking this question... :blush:

[sai slone]

I think if it was speakerphone, it just seems like the nature of a signal on a phone would have to be close to affect you, and that speakerphone wouldn't affect that, since speakerphone only affects volume.....

Volume increases distance traveled. The Pixie girls demonstrated the effect,altho delayed,still happens. therefor,speekerphone zombification is a possibility.

[constantreader85]

Yes it would zombify you. the two girls at the start of the book, one was on the phone at the ice cream van and she got it and her friend listened it and she went slightly wonky

[The Outsider]

I think it's a possibility, but only Sai King knows for certain...