Why should I own a smartphone?

First, in my country you are unlikely to find second hand devices, and when you find one, usually it is basically in junk condition. Second, importing anything from costs the double of US prices. So you really must want something. Would you spend $400 for a $200 phone in US?

Why should I be in Internet while I am in the street? Thieves rob tourists, and if you carry one of those, it is tempting them to send you to the hospital with a bullet or stabbing wound.

I was first attracted by the idea of playing videogames at the bus, but I am more used to complex PC games like Mechwarrior, Fleet Command or Wii games like Wii Fit Plus, Sports Resort and PES 2012. I bought the Wii as it had something PC did not offer me, I am not big fan of consoles. I have found nothing that a smartphone offers me that I want. Even if I get bored, I have my doubts, as I use that boring time to think. Not the most entertaining thing, but the best you can do. I fear that not thinking may cause me to get less used to think, less patient, less used to abstract because I would move to the visual instant reward. Those who create technology have some attraction for abstract things, for intellectual stuff, imagination, create something out of nothing, everything you do not have with a mobile device.

I grew up during a time when Internet was not there. I lived in a time where cell phones were huge unaffordable walkie talkies. It was a time when books were printed on paper, and I own them. Am I too old fashioned? Should I need to change for some reason?

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Originally Posted by Timbuk2

Heh. Fair point.

I have yet to find the app which randomises a response.

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You'd give random answers? Or more particularly you'd ever give a nay to her?

I'd want an app that gives a random synonym to yes. The other day I wasn't paying too much attention and mistakenly implied no to something after mishearing the question - was in the dog box for that!

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Originally Posted by wiggin

Alarm clocks are normally plugged into the grid as well, no? And watches are nowhere near as relevant in a power outage. I really don't get your Luddite streak.
So, it's stupid to use a piece of technology that means you don't have to wait for an incomplete traffic report on the radio?

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Because I have a couple of battery clocks and a wristwatch, and don't use smartphone apps to tell me which direction is north, that makes me a Luddite? :haha:

I said people seem to get dumber and overly reliant on them, to the point of acting like crack addicts when they're without. That isn't being anti-smartphone, and it's not shocking news from the tinfoilhat crowd.

Rand, 8.5 million people in several states lost electric service after Sandy, lasting over a week or more. Yeah, people were desperate for places to charge their phones so they could contact family/employers/doctors/insurance companies. The nice part of having a smartphone (if it's on your person at all times) is that important data and phone numbers don't get ruined by fire or flood.

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Originally Posted by ar81

....I have found nothing that a smartphone offers me that I want. Even if I get bored, I have my doubts, as I use that boring time to think. Not the most entertaining thing, but the best you can do. I fear that not thinking may cause me to get less used to think, less patient, less used to abstract because I would move to the visual instant reward. Those who create technology have some attraction for abstract things, for intellectual stuff, imagination, create something out of nothing, everything you do not have with a mobile device.

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That instant reward can be a real problem with kids who've teethed on this stuff. I read about parents whose toddlers can't be in the car longer than 15-20 minutes without demanding some tech device (hand held game, tablet drawing, DVD movie, etc.). Some tweens/teens never turn off their phones --- and even sleep with them! :down:

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I grew up during a time when Internet was not there. I lived in a time where cell phones were huge unaffordable walkie talkies. It was a time when books were printed on paper, and I own them. Am I too old fashioned? Should I need to change for some reason?

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Same here. I love my paper and text books, some are so old they need re-binding now. :heart: I went through a map phase when I was younger, and kept all the inserts in National Geographic magazines, as well as AAA family road trip maps. (Wish I still had those.) World globes are cool, too....not just because you can touch and spin them, and get a better idea of distance and topography, but especially because political borders have changed so much over time.

I'm not sure whether you're complaining about an over reliance on smart phones or mere electricity. Anywhere with an electrical socket you can charge a phone, plus I have an in-car charger as well, plus my Laptop can charge it (if it has any charge). Quite frankly if I have no electricity at home, at work, at anywhere I'm going and I have no car either then there's bigger problems than merely not having access to your smart phone.

I also wouldn't need an alarm clock if my workplace doesn't have electricity as I wouldn't be going in if they didn't. If they did, I could charge there.

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Originally Posted by GGT

That instant reward can be a real problem with kids who've teethed on this stuff. I read about parents whose toddlers can't be in the car longer than 15-20 minutes without demanding some tech device (hand held game, tablet drawing, DVD movie, etc.). Some tweens/teens never turn off their phones --- and even sleep with them! :down:



Same here. I love my paper and text books, some are so old they need re-binding now. :heart: I went through a map phase when I was younger, and kept all the inserts in National Geographic magazines, as well as AAA family road trip maps. (Wish I still had those.) World globes are cool, too....not just because you can touch and spin them, and get a better idea of distance and topography, but especially because political borders have changed so much over time.

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I never turn off my TWO phones either. And I do sleep with them. I don't really see where the problem is.

Dead tree books are ok if you live life from behind the potted plants. Other people get around and still like to read, these people prefer e-books. There is nothing intrinsically better about the dead tree version.

FYI I do have somewhere in the region of 1,500 dead tree books in my house. My favorites on the shelves I have also as E-book. I noticed I am less and less inclined to take out anything from the shelves. One person's dear memories are another person's trash, something to keep in mind when you start about the 'value' of things you can touch.

Normally I just use the "smart" nature of smartphones for e-mail, maps, Google Books and occasional browsing. But the more I travel, the more reliant I become on the smartphone for some of the things that have been mentioned. Just want to add:

- Videochats (helps the kids see me and understand where the fuck I went).
- Movies downloaded to phone for long flights/airport waits
- News apps- I prefer using my browser to using apps, but because I pay to subscribe to digital editions of some major papers, I just download the day's paper into the app so I can read on the flight.

I can't believe I forgot the social sites. With those proximity apps you can sometimes hook up with people in places where you are alone and bored but know nobody. It's a 100 times easier than just chatting up a random stranger sitting somewhere.

I had heard of a gay proximity app, but not a general one?

If you fly then a Kindle/smartphone/alternative, instead of dead tree books, can be a real blessing. I love to read but only being able to take 20kg total luggage when you travel restricts what you can take. Amanda and I will be travelling to Canada for Christmas to spend it with her parents. First time in 5 years she'll have seen her parents for it and we'll be there for a month.

Our luggage allowance will all be used up one way or another. Preferably with presents not books. With my Kindle I can take all the reading I could possibly want for the month (and more) which would have taken many kilos previously.

I will be taking with me on my Kindle the entire Wheel of Time series and start a re-read of it (as the final book is released day before we fly back so will pick it up dead tree at the airport). To take my series of books with me would be ridiculous with paper.

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Originally Posted by Timbuk2

I had heard of a gay proximity app, but not a general one?

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There are general ones, at least one was shown to me by a female friend. I of course stick to the gay ones.

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Originally Posted by Hazir

I can't believe I forgot the social sites. With those proximity apps you can sometimes hook up with people in places where you are alone and bored but know nobody. It's a 100 times easier than just chatting up a random stranger sitting somewhere.

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I didn't know Grindr was a big deal in your areas as well. :p

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Originally Posted by Dreadnaught

I didn't know Grindr was a big deal in your areas as well. :p

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Grindr doesn't work for people of my size and age. But there are alternatives.

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Originally Posted by Hazir

Grindr doesn't work for people of my size and age. But there are alternatives.

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I didn't know hung guys weren't allowed on Grindr.

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Originally Posted by Hazir

And I do sleep with them. I don't really see where the problem is.

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I do :D