Would your life improve if you didn't have a smart phone?

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Messages 1 - 47 of total 47 in this topic

skitch

Gym climber

Bend Or

Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 27, 2016 - 12:25pm PT

I think mine would, but maybe I'd just find another "toy" to help me ignore my wife.

My biggest reason for not wanting to go back to a simple phone is all of the music I have in my pocket, I also like having a really nice camera to take selfies with each meal I eat.

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Oct 27, 2016 - 12:31pm PT

I dunno. I have no smart phone.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 27, 2016 - 12:49pm PT

No, but it would if a lot of retards didn't have them. First thing I would
do if I won the lottery is ram the ass end of the azzhole sitting at the
light in front of me looking at his phone while the light changes to green.
As of now I have to endure their hatefull stares in their rear view mirrors
while I honk at them. How dare I disturb their reverie!

apogee

climber

Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy

Oct 27, 2016 - 12:53pm PT

No, it wouldn't 'improve'. I'd certainly have a happy, productive life without it, but there are a number of functions that have proven to be especially helpful or useful in my personal and professional life. (i.e. map apps, email ability, texting, camera, music)

Reeotch

climber

4 Corners Area

Oct 27, 2016 - 12:54pm PT

If everyone else got rid of theirs, then I wouldn't need one.
Then, we could actually pay attention to what's in front of us.

yanqui

climber

Balcarce, Argentina

Oct 27, 2016 - 12:55pm PT

No smart phone here, either. Not even a cell phone. When I leave the house I'm incognito, unless you recognize me face to face.

Alexey

climber

San Jose, CA

Oct 27, 2016 - 01:16pm PT

I'd certainly have a happy, productive life without it

apogee: 17542 forum postings found- very productive for 8 years. 6 posts per day

WBraun

climber

Oct 27, 2016 - 01:18pm PT

Without smart phones, Americans will remain stoopid .....

zBrown

Ice climber

Oct 27, 2016 - 01:20pm PT

What about one of these?

It'll be available in one model of 13-inch MacBook Pro, which starts at $1,799, as well as the 15-inch version, which starts at $2,399. Both will ship in the next two to three weeks.

I have not seen any significant improvement since not having one.

apogee

climber

Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy

Oct 27, 2016 - 01:21pm PT

That's 17543 to you, Alexey....

Cragar

climber

MSLA - MT

Oct 27, 2016 - 01:34pm PT

^^^ good one Reilly! Had that happen to me but I was thumping on their trunk b/c I commute by bike. They glared and didn't move till the car behind me honked. Some people. I am not the confrontational type but if I pull up next to a car and I see someone texting away I lightly knock on their window and give them the no-no-no finger. More than half scowl and get ugly with me and a few will smile, drop their phone and proceed to drive responsibly. So, from my small sample regarding people getting caught performing an illegal activity, most are responding defensively, rude and showing their lack of responsibility in/for society. The lifestylers moving here are pricks.
so, anyway...
Yes and no. It'd stay the about the same. I use my phone for weather, pay a couple bills, get road info, surf a bit and that's about it other than using it to call people from wherever I happen to be. I'd use the USPS more often and possibly recreate in fowl-er weather!

I don't have a computer at my house nor a connection. I have an FB account but will only post a private msg a couple times a month to connect with old pals etc. I have no other social media accounts or interests in digital/virtual portrayal of my life as I believe it is hugely degrading on one's true self.

Happiegrrrl2

Trad climber

Oct 27, 2016 - 02:01pm PT

I have only a Tracfone which I use to chek my bank balance and make appointments for dog haircuts and van work, mostly. Most of my personal communication is via email or in person.

I would like to have a camera on the phone though.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Oct 27, 2016 - 02:05pm PT

I don't have a smart phone. Mine's dumb, like me.

Cragar

climber

MSLA - MT

Oct 27, 2016 - 03:00pm PT

digital/virtual portrayal of my life

nice meme!

In a narcissistic way, yes. Like farcebook or bragbook or //needing/wanting// to tell others of achievements to feel good about onself. That is degrading to the soul. I guess I could have put excessive in front of the above bolded text to make my point better, maybe?

NutAgain!

Trad climber

South Pasadena, CA

Oct 27, 2016 - 03:01pm PT

Here are the top 10 ways in which smart phone helps me:
1. Driving directions
2. Finding phone number of businesses/resources, making/canceling reservations, ordering in advance before I get there, etc.
3. Way simpler flying process using smartphone boarding pass
4. Audio tool to help me learn songs for my band
5. My music with me where I travel
6. Handle easier parts of my job without opening computer
7. Video calls with my kids or wife while I'm traveling
8. Using it like an old-fashioned Palm Pilot (calendar, to-do list, etc.)
9. Great amateur camera
10. Learning Italian

My life has become simpler as a result of using a smartphone. It is a tool that saves me time, making it easier to stay connected to people that matter to me. It is not an obstacle to human connection unless your own habits make it so.

SC seagoat

Trad climber

Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone

Oct 27, 2016 - 03:06pm PT

I'm blonde. I need a smart phone.

Susan

healyje

Trad climber

Portland, Oregon

Oct 27, 2016 - 03:09pm PT

Would your life improve if you didn't have a car? Shoes? A refrigerator or washing machine? Toilet paper?

F*#k no.

Moof

Big Wall climber

Orygun

Oct 27, 2016 - 03:56pm PT

No, it would be worse. But I barely use mine. I am not glued to it. I really find it handy for GPS directions when visiting new areas, and having a good-enough camera has allowed me to take pictures of my kid, something I would not do if I had to lug along a camera.

Most folks are pretty far down the rabbit hole, so I agree with the general sentiment. The whole Pokemon Go thing this summer was an eye opener, amazing number of pasty white people squinting against the sun they clearly have rarely seen to play the thing in local parks. I had to gently get the message to my wife that her tending to texts and alerts during dinner was not appropriate, but my small sample size says our self control is not widespread.

Lynne Leichtfuss

Trad climber

Will know soon

Oct 27, 2016 - 04:35pm PT

I was just thinking today, I must be the only person in America that has a "clamshell" and feeling sorry for myself. Now I feel better. A few people I respect out there use one too. Cheers, lynnie

TWP

Trad climber

Mancos, CO & Bend, OR

Oct 27, 2016 - 06:13pm PT

I don't have one; don't want one; never intend to get a "smart phone."

I like cars that are transportation, cameras that take pictures and phone that only make phone calls.

Now we have cars that takes pictures and make phone calls. We have phones that help you drive and take pictures. Soon we will have cameras that drive cars and make phone calls. That describes a "self-driving" car that of course will have built-in celltelephony.

I am like the old cowboy. "I've been around a long time. I've seen a lot of change. And I was against every single one of them."

phylp

Trad climber

Upland, CA

Oct 27, 2016 - 09:36pm PT

I find it a fantastic tool. Invaluable when traveling.

Flip Flop

climber

Earth Planet, Universe

Oct 27, 2016 - 09:41pm PT

Largely indiscernible from magic.

Psilocyborg

climber

Oct 27, 2016 - 10:30pm PT

My world was just fine before smart phones.

August West

Trad climber

Where the wind blows strange

Oct 27, 2016 - 11:29pm PT

If I didn't have a smart phone, what would I do during coffee break when all of my coworkers are staring at their phones?

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Oct 27, 2016 - 11:48pm PT

It ain't the phone that's the problem, its how you use it that matters.

Actually they really aren't "phones". They are little computers which include a phone application.

Title could just as easily be; 'Would your life improve if you didn't have a little computer?'

My answer, no.
Life improvement isn't about "things" it's about what's going on in the space between your ears.

In my life, some things are just easier to deal with on a little computer sometimes.
Can I live happily without it? Sure can. Do most days.

BruceHildenbrand

Social climber

Mountain View/Boulder

Oct 27, 2016 - 11:55pm PT

Agree with Dehli Dog.

You have to ask yourself, "Do I run my life or does my phone run my life?" You have to learn when to respond to your phone and when no to. People who respond immediately to whatever comes up on their phone without filtering it need to take back control of their lives.

nah000

climber

no/w/here

Oct 28, 2016 - 01:25am PT

using Delhi Dog's "smartphone = little computer" equation, my answer is [like healyje's] simple...

fUck no.

and i was a longtime hold out. i used a flip phone primarily for business in the early aughts, but then when back in school got rid of a cell phone altogether.

so it was a surprise, when i finally bought a smartphone, that i quickly came to wonder how i'd ever lived without it.

still holding out on facebook though...

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Oct 28, 2016 - 03:37am PT

I got a Cricket phone.^^^ But the building's all electric, no gas.

My cricket doesn't chirp, but it's cheap and it's all I need or want from a PHONE.

I never call any crickets because I don't know any.

Beatrix Kiddo

Mountain climber

ColoRADo

Oct 28, 2016 - 09:57am PT

I think my vision would improve. Laying in bed at night, surfing the net is starting to take a toll on my baby blues.

Brandon-

climber

The Granite State.

Oct 28, 2016 - 02:39pm PT

I had a couple of smartphones, a Palm and an iPhone1. I found that I was constantly distracted by checking my phone, so I switched back to a dumb phone. My current phone is dying and I'm being pressured to get a 'real' phone. To me, phone means telephone, not computer that makes calls. I've a great sense of direction, so if I check directions on my tablet before I leave, I can usually remember them. A notepad makes a great companion to a dumb phone, and I use it often.

the albatross

Gym climber

Flagstaff

Oct 28, 2016 - 03:07pm PT

I love having a "smart" phone. In my line of work I'm often required to board a flight to a forest fire 1-2,000 miles away from home, leaving within a couple hours. Sitting in the local airport I can make car rental reservations, gather intel on the mission, get directions to the ICP, etc. Of course this used to be done all the time without the phone, but it sure is nice to walk into a very complex environment with an enhanced situational awareness.

Adventurer

Mountain climber

Virginia

Oct 28, 2016 - 03:29pm PT

I'm an older guy (67) and I enjoy having my iPhone. Makes it easy, via text or call, to keep in touch and gives me beta on weather, investments, driving directions, etc when I need it.

Of course, I don't walk around all day with my face stuck in the screen like an idiot. It's a tool not a puppy!!!!

rbord

Boulder climber

atlanta

Oct 28, 2016 - 03:37pm PT

I'd probably get stuck in traffic more.

And I do like to just find out the answer to a question, when I think of the question. Luckily most of the questions I think about (using my insanely extraordinary strength of mind!) are simple enough for my smart phone to answer.