A mainstay for years among the on-the-go executive set, Research In Motion’s BlackBerry product set and service is in danger of being shut down by a patent lawsuit with NTP. Understandably, that’s got plenty of users and consultants scrambling for backup plans.

Here’s a plan: Ditch a fool device that screams, “I’m a tech-ignoramus who doesn’t realize I can do the same things on a mid-to-high-range cellphone, at probably half the price”.

I don’t begrudge RIM’s success. They’ve managed to maintain a robust business by catering to a very desirable customer base, even building up something of a coolness cache among that base.

But it’s a business built upon sustained cluelessness. Talk to the average crackberry addict, and they’re shocked to learn that anyone can send and receive email and files via other wireless services. It’s the same entropic mindset that insists on hanging onto AOL, or WordPerfect, or any other outdated technology.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the drop-off in sales that result from this current uncertainty kills off the BlackBerry. The sooner the better.