Just say no to the evil 'CrackBerry'

Rick Ueno knows well why it's called a "CrackBerry." So the general manager of the Sheraton Chicago is offering a service for addicted guests: He'll keep their BlackBerries under lock and key during their stay, if they surrender the devices voluntarily.

The depth and breadth of the addiction became clear when countless sweaty-palmed users fretted over the BlackBerry's near-demise earlier this year. So it was no surprise that this Reuters story on Ueno's cold-turkey method resonated big time with many bloggers, some of whom were moved to confess their own obsessive-compulsive relationships with the evil handheld.

Blog community response:

"You know who you are out there. Blackberry need, desire, yes, even love fuels your very existence. Your self-esteem is wired into the circuitry of that four-inch square black hole of business hell. Obsessively checking emails, hoping, praying that someone, anyone has messaged you. The email means that you're significant. You matter. Your life on this little blue marble means something."
--Dr. Melissa Clouthier

"Even though I don't have a blackberry myself, I know how answering e-mail throughout the day can take a hold of your life and personally I think it's a good step for people who think that their cell phone is taking over the rest of their life."
--The Online Lifestyle

"In one of the final episodes of 'The West Wing,' Josh Lyman, chief of staff to president-elect Matt Santos, frustrates his colleagues with his addiction to his BlackBerry. Finally, his deputy chief of staff threatens to quit if Lyman doesn't take a vacation, leaving the BlackBerry at home."
--Meetings Blog