Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Smart Phones Suck .

I'm going to sound like an old fart in this post, but I don't care. I hate smart phones. I've always had a "dumb phone" for my entire life, because I have seen first hand how these things affect our lives. Call me cliché but it's true when you say that these things are literally attached to people's arms; with nothing short of amputation necessary for removal. I feel like if I had one, all I would do is check emails, play games, send texts and do whatever else you do with a smart phone. In some ways, yes, it's very helpful: ordering food from your phone, checking your bank account, even depositing your checks or using the mobile scans to check in for flights. But people are consumed by them and often seem to be so much more concerned with their digital world than cultivating the personal relationships around them. It's hurtful to the receiver, rude to everyone around you, and often distracts you from many of the beauties of reality.

Think about the subway. Check out all the people sitting around on their phones, avoiding eye contact with anyone and everyone. The phone is an escape from personal interaction. And while I am sometimes guilty of this, I'd like to think that I'm much better than most. In fact, my phone has a tendency to lag a lot or turn out without reason and that actually makes me use it less (funny as that is).

Unfortunately, the smart phone world is taking over, and due to its popularity, pretty soon it will be the only phone that you can have (as it is, there aren't many phones left that aren't smart phones). Those who lack self control are consumed and can't go anywhere without it. We are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without fail. You can search for people, send pictures videos, and god forbid you're hacked, you are beyond fucked, because your whole life is on there. I remember back when we had one cell phone for the family, and that only if you were going out somewhere by yourself would you take it so that the family could call you if need be. How many of you actually have house phones in your apartment or home? I'd bet that pretty much everyone who has moved into their home or apartment in the past five years or so didn't bother getting one.

At what point does the smart phone (or hell, at this point, handheld computer) become simply imported into your body when you're born? Yeah, that's extreme, but I am just wondering what the future holds given the huge impact they have on a person's life. You can even often see groups of friends that go out together and even though they're supposedly spending time with each other, they're all on their phones. It's a sad sight, for sure. If I ever end up forced to get a smart phone, I swear I'll keep it on silent most of the time so I am not constantly sucked into that digital world, and have to relish in the things and people that are right in front of me.

Have you allowed superglue to bond you and your phone? I challenge you to take a day each week and completely ignore everything on your phone for the entire day, and not check it until tomorrow. I bet 90% of you can't do it. Let hear your experiences.

22 comments:

  1. I sometimes let my smartphone die. It gives me a hint of adrenaline to know I can't be reached and the only connection I can get comes from one on one human contact.

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    1. That's awesome. I remember when I was in Spain and we were on a minute-by-minute payment plan, it was a relief to rarely use a phone -- just because I couldn't!

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  2. Goodness I am guilty of this. I am way too reliant on social media (and of course the smartphones are a way to stay on Twitter, FB, etc. all day). I am constantly interacting through Twitter and FB and now Blogger even has a mobile app lol. So yes, I have a wee bit of a smartphone problem. I need an intervention bro...

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    1. Well, I got rid of my facebook three years ago. And i'm slowly waning myself off of twitter... blogger, i think is somewhat of a healthy addiction. writing is good for the soul and making connections is good.

      take the smartphone challenge and leave it at home for a day! i think you might find your life is enriched

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  3. Here, here! I've left my cell at home on purpose and it's really liberating. What is really so urgent we have to be constantly connected? Great post, Greg.

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  4. Haven't read your blog in a while so I'm sure I'll be commenting on random posts as I skim through

    But you're absolutely right. I hate talking to people and rather than trying to overcome that fear, I use my phone to avoid any personal contact with anybody (sometimes I read stuff on facebook/twitter that I've already read just to avoid looking at someone). Definitely have noticed recently that when I go out to eat with my friends, we'll all check out smartphones while we're waiting to get our food.

    When I was in New Orleans last week with FCA, I was talking to this homeless man on the street and while he did have some crazy ideas at one point he went on a rant about how cell phones are trying to erase your memory. I guess he's sort of right at some point. At some point in my life I had to learn how to read a map.....now I just plug the address in my phone and let Google Maps navigate me there. So I guess there are definitely downfalls to owning a smartphone (I didn't have one till last year and now I don't know if I could live without one). But I'll have to take your challenge someday - maybe I'll have to start off slow like 1/2 day haha

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    1. Thanks Tong Bro. Glad to hear you still read it. As always, your comments are insightful and well thought out -- says a lot about the character underneath the skin, and I like getting to know that part of the people.

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  5. I agree completely! I don't even have a dumbphone. I don't need to be reached all the time and if I did, I have an answering machine at home. There's this thing called waiting...patience! It seems people forgot what that concept means. Because of our fast paced, digital world, we have to be in a hurry to do anything! Now people use that as an excuse to have to be contacted at any given point in the day. No you don't. How many people are really so important that they MUST be contacted at any given time? Maybe like...15% of the whole world? I mean seriously...are you the prime minister of a country I never heard of yet? Are you the CEO of fortune 500? Are you the owner of Walmart? If you answered no to all of those questions...you probably aren't *that* important. Whenever I go out all I see are people constantly on these things nonstop. What makes me laugh even more are the people who own these nice smartphones yet you see them driving beat up cars, wearing ripped clothes, or in line at social services waiting to get on welfare. Are our wants being put before our needs these days? Most people think they're entitled to a smartphone because "I want it and I shouldn't have to go without because I'm poor." I will never get a smartphone. I have an iPod touch and honestly...it was a waste of money. I rarely use it. I don't find it fun at all. And even trying to type out a quick email so you don't have to turn the computer on...it's a pain! I hate it! Let alone it rarely does what I want anyway. And don't even get me started with that four letter word....yes....APPS. I loathe that word. it wasn't bad before but now it's the most overabused word in the tech field that anytime I hear it, I just want to puke.

    Anyway, I've ranted enough but I just need to say to those who say they can't live without their smartphone, get yourself some help. Don't be proud of thinking you can't live without it. You're the same as drug addicts and it's not funny at all, it's sad actually.

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    1. Hahaha this comment absolutely made my day. I wish I knew who you were! Reveal yourself anon!

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    2. Glad to hear it did! Believe it or not but I'm only 24 years old and a retired tech specialist. I used to be into computers but I never got into this smartphone business and now since I've actually started a journey to a healthier lifestyle, I've left the computer industry and I never take life for granted anymore. I lost nearly 170 pounds just by getting off my butt, away from the computer, and doing something with my life. :) It's just sad how many people prefer to play on their phones than enjoy life around them and even get out and play real games like badminton, volleyball, or even other fun things! Maybe one day people will wake up and realize just how much of their life they wasted playing with a little electronic device. It just honestly saddens me how people call it an extension of themselves when it's really their own undoing.

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    3. Really interesting thoughts there!! I've never owned a smartphone but I have to say it is helpful having a cell. And I'm not sure how I'd get through the architecture program in college without my laptop. However it is nice to take periodic technology breaks! As an avid cyclist (mountain and road) and totally am on the boat with the getting outdoors and enjoying life. There's a lot more than computer screens to be had in life!

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    4. That's how I feel and hell, I'm not saying to banish computers all together. That's just silly! But this is your final take in life, no do-overs so you should make the most of your life while you have the chance. That's how I feel anyway!

      And hey, a regular cell isn't bad. In fact I wasn't never really against those in the first place. It's the fact that everyone has taken this sick obsession with smartphones beyond even the worst fad obsession ever that just really shut me off with them all together. But so many people forgot the entire concept of the device...it's a phone! You call people on it. Why do so many people think texting is easier than talking? Lordy, I tried sending my love an email on my iPod so I didn't have to turn my computer on and it was just awful! I never hit the right buttons and having to go into so many different levels of the keyboard is just a hassle. Of course that's my take on it. And let's not forget those gaudy looking crossword puzzles pasted on absolutely everything...that's right, QR codes.

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  6. Ghost dialing, dying batteries, black screens, apps that take control of your phone, quirky touch screen - and most of all: who needs a phone that locates planets, etc, etc, etc?

    After realizing how ridiculous my "smart" phone was and how lousy it was at just being a phone, I removed the sim card, put it back in my old clamshell and am living happily ever after.

    RE:" I challenge you to take a day each week and completely ignore everything on your phone for the entire day, and not check it until tomorrow. I bet 90% of you can't do it."

    I'll go you one better - I have downplayed cellphones, in general - so much that I keep it in my car and only have a car charger. I don't take it with me when I go to lunch, the movies, to a concert, etc, etc, etc. I use it like a phone booth - when I am out and really NEED to call somebody for directions, coordinating a meetup, etc. I have pared down my use to about 1000 minutes a YEAR. I am an unhooked, recovering celloholic ,-]

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    1. Bravo to you! Far better than what I would be able to do. Though I have thankfully been able to cut down my usage considerably from when I first got a phone.

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    2. I am a web contractor with a home office, and a land line, DSL, super fast computer and BIG dual screen monitors. When I go to lunch - I am out of office.

      There is nothing on a tiny little goofy screen and a slow connection that would distract me from lunch. I was suckered in by the Droid TV commercial. I didn't last a year with it ,-]

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  7. I'm 12 years old and recently inherited a so called smartphone. I had a reliable Nokia before and it was awesome. The only reason I have a smartphone is to stop getting teased. Two things - my Nokia actually had a battery and could easily take a head height drop frequently. I am not a stereotypical "lousy punk" and don't have any social networks. Verdict - I could read the news on my Nokia on the train from school without worrying about data. These things are expensive to own and eat mobile data.

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  8. I think they are building smartphones in such a way that they break after 1-2 years, so fools like me can buy new ones more quickly. My first smartphone was a HTC Desire- after 1 year it started having trouble with the processor. Now, my iPhone 4S has a problem with the sound. Operators rarely solve your problems, even if you have a warranty, and if they do, that warranty still lasts maximum 2 years. After that, you're f***ed. It makes me sick only when I think of the money I spent on these useless "smart" phones. I could have bought a high-end PC which would have lasted 6-7 years. In the future, only 50$ Nokia phones for me.

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  9. same sad story here in germany. people tend to stare at their smartphones and play silly games instead of enjoying the nature passing by outside the train window. a few days ago i was sitting next to a girl using her ipad. the only thing that could distract her from that was her beeping smartphone. get a life, girl... i do have a smartphone too, but it spends most of its existence in my bag, switched off, so i can use it when i def need it. my everyday-phone is a nokia 5130 from 1998 (!) which is similar to a 5110, but for 1800mhz-band. and let me tell you, it works, and i don't miss a thing. and nontheless, using this old brick with a "big" antenna and a monochromic lc-display feels nowadays not oldfashioned, but like a statement. and that's what it is. cheers!

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    1. Thanks for commenting! Good for you making a statement. I've spent some time in Germany (Berlin, Frankfurt, Köln, Düsseldorf) and loved it. Would love to go back!

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  10. When cellphones were brand new and only "dumb" phones existed, people made the exact same arguments as to why you shouldn't own a cellphone. Smartphones only increase human interaction. What do you think those people are doing while they are sitting on the subway? They are talking to their friends, reading about things they find interesting, sending photos to their friends, listening to music, playing games with each other, etc. I'd rather be texting my friend than making eye contact with the weirdos on the subway.

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  11. very good points bro

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