Studies show that simply having a cell phone in view is enough to make conversations shallow, which is why I avoid conversation in social settings, since I abhor vapid small talk, which wears me out. The cell phone is distracting even when not in use, though viisible, the darnedest repetitive thing I have ever seen, since we are used to staring at it, afraid we're missing something. We are distracted by what we are not actually not seeing. Quite amazing.