How would people communicate if cell phones were invented before writing?

[Rakehellion]

Would we have to call and talk to each other?

 

[Markbnj]

You're assuming that something as complicated as cel phones could have been designed and manufactured if a rich means of transmitting information in a persistent way had not already been in place. A better comparison might be whether we would have invented writing if, say, we had telepathy. Actually, bad comparison. Thoughts are too fleeting and imprecise.

 

[Rakehellion]

Let's say radio waves and integrated circuits are invented the same year. Also, we communicated through talking parrots instead of carrier pigeons. Just a culture geared around the spoken language instead of writing.

 

[chimaxi83]

This is a question I'd expect from a 4 1/2 year old.

 

[Rakehellion]

This is a question I'd expect from a 4 1/2 year old.

A 4 1/2 year old GENIUS!

 

[Rakehellion]

And let's say that billboards don't contain written information, they just have loudspeakers blaring advertisements at you.

Also, delis don't write down the lunch special on a chalkboard, they just hire professional shouters to keep you up to date on the latest deals.