I've been online every single day for about 14 years, I have several e-mail addresses, I have a couple of computers, I have a cell phone, and I Twitter. Still, I don't think it would be a problem for me to give up my cell phone and iPod for ten days.

Not the younger folks though, if this video from Today is any indication. The kids just can't handle not being able to get online or text to their friends (17,500 messages in one month??). One kid doesn't even know how to use a newspaper, and another can't read a regular clock (seriously). I think their heads would cave in if they tried to use a typewriter.

It's time to talk about the latest Idol Conspiracy Theory. This one goes a little like this: the phone lines are blocked (possibly intentionally, probably not). But text messages get through no matter what. Cingular has an exclusive deal with Idol, which allows only their customers to vote by text message. Cingular customers, therefore, may have an unfair impact on this contest.

Text messaging has become increasingly popular in the last couple of years. And this trend is reflected in Idol voting. In three years of Cingular-sponsorship, the number of text message votes has risen from 7.5 million (in 2004) to 41.5 million (in 2006).

As long as phone problems persist, and text message participation continues to rise, this controversy over the voting process will only fester and grow each year.