Cohen, A. A., Lemish, D., & Schejter, A. M. (2008). The wonder phone in the land of miracles: Mobile telephony in Israel (New media: Policy and social research issues). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
Contents
Prologue
Acknowledgments
 
PART I--CONTEXT
Chapter 1 THE RESEARCH PROGRAM
  The History of the Mobile Phone and its Regulation in Israel.
  Uses of and Attitudes Toward the Mobile Phone.
  The Mobile Phone in Times of Terror and War.
  The Mobile Phone in the Family: Parents and Children
  Advertising for Mobile Phones.
  The Mobile Phone and Unique Populations.
  Two Vignettes.
  Concluding Remarks
  Endnotes
 
Chapter 2 HISTORY, DIFFUSION AND UBIQUITY
  The Historical Context.
  The Early (Monopoly) Years.
  The Introduction of Competition.
  Competition and Transition.
  Socioeconomic Gaps and Penetration.
  Recent History.
  Summary
  Endnotes
 
Chapter 3 POLICY AND REGULATION
  The Issues.
  Mobile Phone Licensing Policy in Israel.
  Cellular Policy in Israel: Success or Failure?
  An Analysis from "Within".
  The Analysis From the "Outside". Postscript.
  Concluding Remarks
  Postscript
 
PART II--USES
Chapter 4 ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR
  Method.
  The Survey Data.
  The IVR Data.
  The Adoption Process
  Concluding Remarks
  Endnotes
 
Chapter 5 STICKING TOGETHER: PARENTS AND CHILDREN
  The Mobile Phone and the Construction of Adulthood
  Concluding Remarks
  Endnotes
 
Chapter 6 THREE UNIQUE GROUPS: SOLDIERS, YESHIVA STUDENTS AND MIGRANT WORKERS
  Soldiers.
  Yeshiva Students.
  Migrant Workers
  Concluding Remarks
  Endnotes
 
PART III--TERROR
Chapter 7 LIVING IN A STATE OF TERROR
  Mobile Phones in Emergencies.
  Survey Findings Related to Terror.
  Mobile Phone Use During Wartime
  Concluding Remarks
  Endnotes
 
Chapter 8 THE AFTERMATH OF TERROR: EMERGENCY CARE
  Methods.
  Findings.
  Technological Convergence of the Mobile Phone.
  Mixed Attitudes Toward the Mobile Phone.
  Endnotes
 
Chapter 9 THE AFTERMATH OF TERROR: VICTIMS, WITNESSES AND THE MEDIA
  Victims and Witnesses.
  Findings.
  Media Coverage of Attacks and Victims.
  Media Reporting During the War with Hezbollah in Lebanon
  Endnotes
 
PART IV--IDENTITIES
Chapter 10 CONSTRUCTING GENDER AND "ISRAELINESS"
  The Mobile Phone and the Construction of Gender.
  Mobile Phones and the Construction of "Israeliness"
  Concluding Remarks
 
Chapter 11 WHAT THE MOBILE PHONE SELLS: THEMES IN TELEVISION ADVERTISING
  Themes of Universalism.
  Themes of Patriotism.
  Themes of Youth Culture
  Concluding Remarks
  Endnotes
 
PART V--VIGNETTES
Chapter 12 THE MOBILE PHONE IN THE LIVES OF PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI YOUNG WOMEN
by Hiyam Hijazi-Omari and Rivka Ribak
  Method.
  Tradition and the Digital Romance.
  Domesticating the Mobile Phone.
  Endnotes
 
Chapter 13 THE END OF MALE FRATERNITY? THE MOBILE PHONE AND RESERVE MILITARY DUTY
by David Levin
  The Study.
  The Case Study of Aki.
  Concluding Remarks
 
Epilogue.
Endnotes
References
 
Author Index.
Subject Index.
 

Product Description
Studies conducted over several years in Israel explored social aspects of the developing mobile phone phenomenon. Using a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods the research examined the place that the 'Wonder Phone' has been occupying in many facets of life. It was concluded that the mobile is 'not only talk' - as a recent campaign slogan of one of Israel's mobile providers suggests. Rather, it is a medium through which Israelis define their gendered and national identities; it offers an experience of 'being there' and a security net holding family members and loved ones together, especially in terms of terror and war; and it provides a lifeline during existential crises around which rituals of mourning are crystallized.In analyzing the mobile phone as it is contextualized in Israeli society, two opposing social forces can clearly be seen: on the one hand, the mobile is an expression of late modernity and globalization; but on the other hand it is recruited as a tool - as well as a symbol - for the expression of locality and patriotic sentiments.

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