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Life without a cell phone

blog.nbrogi.com

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Re: Life without a cell phone

#41

Post by ohwp »

grecy wrote: post #9

I'm a 31 y/o Software Engineer, and I have not had a cell phone since ~2004. It's improved my work/life balance immensely, as my work can't call/email me whenever they like. The only time it's annoying is (as the article says) when you're trying to meet up with friends and are not immediately and conveniently contactable. Being that most people spend ~$60/mo on a plan, I've saved right on $6000 - which certainly help…

I own a cell phone but never use it for the same reasons as you. Never missed it, never will.

This month a video went viral about the subject: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OINa46HeWg8 (I Forgot My Phone). So true.

Re: Life without a cell phone

#42

Post by Newky »

Something which is becoming more and more common in messaging type systems is a level above this. Now on most common instant messaging platforms, a person can tell whether you actually read the message.

For instance in google hangouts, their icon shows where they last read in the conversation.

This puts an added level of responsibility as you can no longer use any excuses that you didn't see it etc

Re: Life without a cell phone

#43

Post by tene »

My standing policy for phones is that I expect people to manage their own availability, and respect that I do the same.

If I don't want to answer a call, I don't answer it the first time they call; if it's really an emergency, they'll leave a message or keep calling back. I only give out my Google Voice number, so I get transcriptions of voicemail, and I can silence groups of people, or only permit certain groups of people to call me at a given time.

If I want to talk to someone, I call them, and trust that they won't answer if they don't want to talk. It's absurd for me to be expected to work out whether it's a good time for a call or not, as I don't know their schedule, just like it would be absurd for me to expect anyone else to know my schedule and try to make decisions for me on whether I want to be called or not.

I've had several friends who have quite a bit of anxiety about making and receiving phone calls, religiously answering every call and stressing about whether or not it's acceptable to call others. I might be a bit idealistic, but this seems like the simplest solution to me, with the people who have the most information making local decisions for themselves.

Re: Life without a cell phone

#45

Post by 6d0debc071 »

nbrogi wrote: post #13
bkurtz13 wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You could try whitelisting only numbers that are in your contact list.

Yep tried that, too :-) I've long had this prob. with getting interrupted by calls. Again, people would get mad that I ignored them, or that I wasn't available. Somehow, since you don't have a cell phone they don't get offended or complain (I'm talking about clients in particular).

It's not personal if you don't have a cell, whereas if you do it makes it look like a decision not to talk to them in particular.

That's one of the reasons my voicemail makes excuse for not picking up.

"Hi, I'm probably in a meeting or driving at the moment. If you call back between X and Y, then I should be available, or, if you prefer, you can send a text or email. Else, leave a message after the beep. Thanks! ^_^"

Re: Life without a cell phone

#47

Post by jacquesm »

I don't think this is as easy as it was in the age before cell phones became common.

The infrastructure that dealt with people on the move trying to communicate (phone booths, equipped with directories) has diminished substantially. People are not going to borrow you their phone to make calls when you need to and when you break a leg in the basement at night you'll wish you had one no matter where the nearest functioning phone booth is located.

No phone, or wired phone is a world that has largely gone by.

I've stayed away from smartphones so far because of 2 things:

- battery life

- security

I like to be able to use my phone when I really need it (as a phone) and feature phones still beat smartphones handily in this department.

Second big issue, security is maybe a bit paranoid but I can't imagine that carrying what amounts to a full fledged linux machine in my pocket without even so much as a basic insight in what is going on under the hood or a sysadmin to go with it is responsible use of the data on the phone.

It helps that I know my way around and that in the car I have a tom-tom for navigation. Going without a cell phone is foregoing convenience without any upside. You could get all of the upside by simply buying a phone and keeping it charged and in your pocket, and in many countries even a 'dead' phone will allow you to call the emergency number. (I assume you can get one without a sim card from a friend for free).

Re: Life without a cell phone

#48

Post by setitimer »

The thing that kills me is people who reply to emails with a phone call. I actually quit putting my cell number in my email signature because of this. If I wanted to talk to you I would call you; if I emailed you for something then I expect a reply via email.

Re: Life without a cell phone

#49

Post by 0X1A »

For the past 3 years I haven't had a cell phone, that is up until about 6 months ago when a friend gave me a Samsung Mesmerize. I don't have a line and only use Google Voice to receive texts, and I make calls through Talkatone.

Re: Life without a cell phone

#50

Post by vinceguidry »

I got rid of my cell phone 3 years ago and just use Google Voice. It was awesome. People would bitch about how I wasn't available, but whatever. They can leave a voice mail and I'll get back to them on my schedule, not theirs.

Nobody calls me. It's great. They can, but they don't. I have everyone trained. Emails or texts.

I had a prepaid for awhile that I'd use only to make outgoing calls from. Now I have an iPhone that I mostly use for listening to music, no data plan. People can call me now, but they don't. GVoice is enough of a pain in the ass to them that they avoid it. I tell people I wish Apple would let me integrate it but secretly I wish they never do.

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