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PaperclipPerfector  2d ago (text post)   1464 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for August 24, 2025

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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How old are you?

My life before smart phones was so different. I love that I can pull out and read any book I want, I love that I don't need a separate device for music, I love that I can research anything anytime instead of writing it down and searching through my encyclopedia at home.

Have you ever tried a long road trip with a physical map?

Yeah they ruin a lot of stuff and may not be worth it but don't forget what they've added.

How old are you?

Middle aged. I remember all the way back to the world where normies had no internet, and then the later world when more cutting-edge weirdos had home dialup internet.

I love that I can pull out and read any book I want,

Physical books or kindle + libgen. I find reading on the phone to be terrible, and really, kindle isn't great either.

I love that I don't need a separate device for music

I recently bought an mp3 player again so I can run or hike with music without having my phone along. It's wonderful.

I love that I can research anything anytime instead of writing it down and searching through my encyclopedia at home.

This part is certainly convenient. I'm not sure I really learn more or retain more, though, compared to writing notes down and then internet searching at home.

Have you ever tried a long road trip with a physical map?

Yep, I moved across several states to a completely unknown city using physical maps. It was fine. My goal now on long road trips is to look up directions before I leave and then not look at maps again.

Physical books or kindle + libgen. I find reading on the phone to be terrible, and really, kindle isn't great either.

Some of this is different strokes for different folks - I would never in a million years ago back to a separate music player.

I will say that I have a kindle and used it over my phone for a long time until I got an oversized phone and then suddenly reading on the phone didn't bother me.

Some of this is different strokes for different folks

Yes, definitely. I have an upcoming backpacking trip where my phone will be off or in airplane mode (when I need it for navigation, unfortunately) for 5ish days. It will be heavenly. And I'll be reminded when I get back how little I really need the phone and how much I pay per month to have a texting/email/wikipedia pocket tracking device.

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