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PaperclipPerfector  6mo ago (text post)   2723 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for October 15, 2023

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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Point of curiosity - how many people do not carry some sort of smartphone with them basically everywhere they go? Trying to focus on either you personally or somebody you personally know, not just speculating.

I usually don't bring mine on runs, although with the minor caveat that I have a running watch that has podcasts on it anyway. I generally run ~40-60 miles per week, so this makes up a decent amount of time outside my home without a phone.

I'm amused that most of the replies answer a slightly different question than you asked: they answered about knowing people who don't own a smartphone and you asked about people who don't carry a smartphone everywhere. The implication being that the idea of owning a smartphone but not carrying it everywhere isn't really an option.

Not that I'm trying to claim any kind of moral high ground here: I'm definitely in the "carry smartphone everywhere" category. The only exception is leaving it in a bag when I'm doing something active enough that having a smartphone in my pocket would be annoying. I don't have a smartwatch, but some people I know use them for that situation (I think only people who are on call).

I actually asked it that way on purpose, hoping to cover both people who don't have one at all, and people who have one but don't carry it with them sometimes or often.

I do feel a little weird sometimes about seemingly needing to carry a smartphone everywhere, but it does do a really good job of replacing a bunch of other devices and tools.

I don't own a smartphone, only an old LG flip-phone, on a limited, subsidized "Obamaphone" plan.

I use the same federal subsidy and have asked the major providers here in California (Lifeline and NET10 wireless) for flip-phones—they only offer cheap android smartphones (or even tablets). Can you tell me the name of your provider so I can get a flip phone too?

I go through our local cable company, GCI, and I don't know who their provider is.

Two. An artist in her 30's with a flip phone, she's opposed to smartphones on principle. I respect it, though wonder if she has paper maps or something for when she travels. There's a woman at my work with no cell phone at all and she has effectively called the bluff of the corporation on mandatory MFA, but they've also kind of called hers because afaik she can't access our corporate intranet. Every once in a while it flares up a dozen people get CC'd, IT rejects the request for a mobile device to be purchased and assigned, etc. Such a waste of time. I actually haven't heard of it recently so maybe management wised up and found a way to structure a reimbursement in such a way that they could sneak a burner phone from best buy onto that monday's bagel run.

I use my phone less and less these days. I've even experimented with leaving the house without it. It's easier to leave it somewhere after getting a Kindle to do my reading on. :)

I personally haven't carried a phone (smart or otherwise) since sometime in July, when I dropped and broke my iPhone. Before that, I hadn't been without a smart phone since around 2012. I don't have a land line. If I need to make a call, I use Google voice on my laptop.

Mostly, I've been phoneless as an experiment. Overall, the experience has probably been net negative, and I'll likely get a phone soon.

On the plus side, I can focus somewhat better (on reading, or work, or watching a movie at home, or whatever) without the phone constantly interrupting me or threatening to interrupt me (or just being an attractive distraction). I also take satisfaction in the idea that I've opted out of a part of modern consumer culture. I think I'm reading books now when previously I would have been scrolling on my phone (this is an improved use of my time, in my opinion).

On the negative side, there've been a few times where I could've used a phone (e.g., I got locked out of my office, and had to just go home for the afternoon). I know it's an annoyance (and concern) to my family that they can't reach me at any moment. There are various sites (for banking and such) that use the ability to receive texts as a 2nd authentication factor. If I had a social life, I assume not having a phone would be a major impediment. I feel like I'm losing touch with friends whom I used to call and text. I can't call Uber. If I get lost, I don't have access to maps.

I will say that the first week without a phone felt very unnatural (ironically), but after that, I guess I got used to it.

Without just speculating, I can answer about people I know: I don't, and no members of my family do except for mother-in-law. My wife does in theory, but in practice she never knows where it is and never answers it when it rings. In our experience phones are basically a way for other people to get a hold of you, which is irritating; let them send an email like anyone else.

I have one family member who has steadfastly refused to change from a flip phone to a smartphone, but everyone I know who owns one keeps it with them whenever out and about.

I used to have an in-law who was like that, saying that a button phone was for business and a smartphone was for wasting time, and he had no time to waste, but last year I saw him with his own glowing glass rectangle.

Nobody I can think of. I'd rather leave a kidney behind than my phone, I half suspect a part of the proprioceptive function of my brain treats it like an extension of itself.

I'm presuming you have a much more desirable phone than my Pixel 3—but leave room for the possibility that I have better kidneys.

It's a flagship, even if it's made by a more price conscious brand than Apple or Samsung.

My kidneys are in tip-top shape, it's my liver that's likely suffering from my love for biryani haha.

The only flagship phone I ever owned was Hawei's, purchased just a few weeks before the spying scandal broke, and never actually used for phone calls. Feature wise, the new Pixels have just barely caught up, and that's not counting the IR blaster with built in universal remote app

And it's not that your liver is "suffering," so much as "used to the fullest" or maybe "done it's duty when called upon."

I dont take out my phone from my pocket when Im with anyone. I wear a watch for the time and dont subscribe to a data plan. For a majority of the day im usually somewhere that has wifi anyways and more more important things I can be called.

I do agree that when I'm out with anyone, I'll generally only use my phone to coordinate other people meeting up with us or find the next place to go, not to just chitchat with others or scroll social media

My dad leaves his at home every Sunday. Not a Sabbath thing, what with him being an old Jew, just that's the day of the week he gets breakfast with friends and then goes on a hike.

In my Dunbar group I know of two adults without a smartphone.

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