Why I'm glad my iPhone broke • Hacker News Board

Re: Why I'm glad my iPhone broke

#11

Post by Sirupsen » Thu, Jan 24, 2013, 1:15 PM UTC

RyanZAG wrote: post #10

I’ve started calling people more. ... It’s funny how little I called people on my iPhone, and how surprised parts of my generation is when they receive a call. ... improved arrangements and generally had more fun communicating. Did you ever think to ask the people you were phoning if they were busy with anything? Sure, it might have been great for you to break someones concentration with some basic question that coul…

I am a programmer myself, so I am aware of how incredibly annoying interruptions are. I loathe being thrown out of the zone. So yes, I am very aware of whatever others are doing at the time of calling. I only call, if I believe it will shorten the interaction on both ends and would add something meaningful, and I am certain I am not interrupting the other person. I largely prefer email though, as it is more async and generally more convenient.

Re: Why I'm glad my iPhone broke

#12

Post by kintamanimatt » Thu, Jan 24, 2013, 1:15 PM UTC

RyanZAG wrote: post #10

I’ve started calling people more. ... It’s funny how little I called people on my iPhone, and how surprised parts of my generation is when they receive a call. ... improved arrangements and generally had more fun communicating. Did you ever think to ask the people you were phoning if they were busy with anything? Sure, it might have been great for you to break someones concentration with some basic question that coul…

> if they did it a couple more times, I'd set my phone to automatically redirect calls from them to voice-mail

That's a little ... inhospitable and cold.

Re: Why I'm glad my iPhone broke

#13

Post by sheri » Thu, Jan 24, 2013, 1:15 PM UTC

Here are my observations:

- No one reads (books) on buses/trains anymore. Its very rare to see someone reading a book in SF in public transport. - No one looks around anymore. I seem like the only person who is looking out the window, or observing fellow passengers. I would say around 80% of the people have their headphones on, and are engrossed in their smartphone.

One funny incident stands out. I waked into Chipotle (restaurant), and everyone in line was staring into their smartphone. As soon as I walked in, everyone looked up, and in unison went back to their smartphone. It was synchronized enough to be like something from a parody.

I wouldn't say this is necessarily bad, just different than how it used to be. I have a smartphone, but not a data plan, so I don't use it outside of home. However, the maps and transit (to me) is a killer feature.

Re: Why I'm glad my iPhone broke

#14

Post by rcush » Thu, Jan 24, 2013, 1:16 PM UTC

I have read several posts about ditching smartphones in recent months, and the writer invariably states that they were not addicted. However, if their behaviour pattern cannot be changed while still owning a smartphone, then they are addicted. It's a question of will power, and it seems many people don't have it.

I went through a stage of dependency on my iPhone, always filling in small gaps in my day with games, Twitter, email or Facebook. I realised I was spending too much time on it, and so for the past couple of years I've significantly restricted my time with the phone. Certainly it is never used in company. In my opinion, I've found a happy balance. I still get all the myriad pros that a smartphone offers, but don't reach for it every time I'm not busy.

Re: Why I'm glad my iPhone broke

#15

Post by acabal » Thu, Jan 24, 2013, 1:16 PM UTC

RyanZAG wrote: post #10

I’ve started calling people more. ... It’s funny how little I called people on my iPhone, and how surprised parts of my generation is when they receive a call. ... improved arrangements and generally had more fun communicating. Did you ever think to ask the people you were phoning if they were busy with anything? Sure, it might have been great for you to break someones concentration with some basic question that coul…

What? How is he supposed to know what the person is doing before calling them? Can't they just ignore the call if they want? Should we just never call anyone ever just in case they're really busy?

Re: Why I'm glad my iPhone broke

#16

Post by kaolinite » Thu, Jan 24, 2013, 1:18 PM UTC

A little while ago my smartphone's screen smashed and it took 2-3 weeks for it to be fixed. During that time, I came to the conclusion that I didn't need a smartphone. Eventually my phone was returned and I loved it again and can't imagine leaving the house without it. Simon is probably right - leaving it at home for a month would probably be a good thing - but unless forced, I just can't bring myself to be without it.

Re: Why I'm glad my iPhone broke

#17

Post by OGinparadise » Thu, Jan 24, 2013, 1:19 PM UTC

Peroni wrote: post #3

It’s handy to have all these things in one device, but for now, the pros outweigh the cons for me. The pro's listed: You call people more & you don't worry about damaging your phone anymore. Personally, those pro's don't even come close to outweighing the inconvenience of not having instant access to maps, music, camera and email for me.

"the inconvenience of not having instant access to maps, music, camera and email for me."

If you are glued to them, whether you admit it or not, it's not doing you any good. The sun will still rise if you unplug for a few hours and have a normal conversation.

Re: Why I'm glad my iPhone broke

#18

Post by af3 » Thu, Jan 24, 2013, 1:19 PM UTC

I live without a phone for 3.5 years. I use Messages (on OS X) to text friends that have iphones, and Google Voice for those that use something else. So far it works pretty well for me.

Re: Why I'm glad my iPhone broke

#19

Post by OGinparadise » Thu, Jan 24, 2013, 1:21 PM UTC

RyanZAG wrote: post #10

I’ve started calling people more. ... It’s funny how little I called people on my iPhone, and how surprised parts of my generation is when they receive a call. ... improved arrangements and generally had more fun communicating. Did you ever think to ask the people you were phoning if they were busy with anything? Sure, it might have been great for you to break someones concentration with some basic question that coul…

Are you a robot or something? Humans need to talk, meet and interact. Even Obama and the Pope can find time for a chat, let alone a normal person.

Re: Why I'm glad my iPhone broke

#20

Post by RyanZAG » Thu, Jan 24, 2013, 1:22 PM UTC

acabal wrote: post #15

RyanZAG wrote: post #10

I’ve started calling people more. ... It’s funny how little I called people on my iPhone, and how surprised parts of my generation is when they receive a call. ... improved arrangements and generally had more fun communicating. Did you ever think to ask the people you were phoning if they were busy with anything? Sure, it might have been great for you to break someones concentration with some basic question that coul…

What? How is he supposed to know what the person is doing before calling them? Can't they just ignore the call if they want? Should we just never call anyone ever just in case they're really busy?

I don't ignore calls from people as they could be important. Someone may need help, or they may need to notify me of something immediately. This is a good use for interruptive voice calls.

However, if someone keeps calling me for very unimportant issues, then I would ignore their calls, and check voice-mail later to confirm if it was important.

I expect to get down-voted for this as it is a bit unfortunate, but if people think they can have my time whenever they want for whatever they want, then I'm not going to have any time left for myself. Plus, if an important call does come through and I'm stuck talking to someone about something unimportant, then it's the important call that is going to be stuck in voice mail.