Cell Phone Use - Rant

[superdog]

I tend to try and keep it positive. Which is an exercise for me. I have a natural inclination towards anger and annoyance. The struggle to stay positive is real.

That said, I am at my wits end with cell phone use.

I was in NYC for a week a month ago. Everywhere you look folks on their phones. It is almost shocking at how many people have their heads lowered as they scroll, or text, or whatever.

And it is obviously not just NYC. I have been watching this happen for years. While on vacation, the office, or wherever. I was just shocked at how it felt like literally everyone was on the phone.

Watching people at the dinner table. 5 people sometimes, all on their phones. Watching people on a date, on the phone. Watching people CROSS THE STREET!!!

On the phone. It is everywhere.

Folks can't even enjoy a moment at this point. Must whip out the phone and document it for all to see. Sunsets, food, family events, private family events etc..

The worst part about it all...I do it too. I am catching myself all the time. And I need to stop.

When I am driving, I see it non stop. It is rampant.

I was just at a work breakfast at a little spot by me. 3 separate people were on the phone talking, with the phone on speaker. Sorry, one was listening to the news...with his phone on speaker.

I literally had to leave before I said something and started trouble.

Realistically, on the time scale, phones are new. And the ability to have live through them is new. Imagine what it will be like in the next 10 years or 20 or 30.

I would venture to guess that we are going to lose all social abilities. Even now, I see folks with an inability to communicate properly. Social media sites are filled with anger and vitriol. Everyone attacks everyone. Most are doing it behind private accounts. Cowards.

I am frustrated and glad that I am older. I am not too far away from simply retreating from the world and finding my own little spot to age and eventually die.


Okay. Rant over. Maybe. I might come back here and rant some more. No promises.

[APhound]

I hate it
I always dream of not having a phone, it’s the ultimate luxury I can think of
My sisters are addicted to social media and it drives me crazy, even my dad now is always on Instagram, so annoying, trying to talk to people who are looking at social media
This is the most I’ve ever had (Rolex forum) never had Facebook, Instagram, etc


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[V25V]

We are sheep to Samsung, Apple, Meta, etc.

[Rebel]

[INC]

Welcome the the real world Neo:



Be free: disconnect yourself from the Matrix.

[brandrea]

I couldn’t agree more Seth.

I keep telling my wife that this is the last phone I’m buying. After this one … I’m out. You can reach me by carrier pigeon or mail.

It makes me “get off my fu****g lawn” angry …. I’m with you brother

[Gherm]

For me, it's the driving while texting/ogling the phone. I regularly look to see how many people are on their phones while operating, and it's frighteningly common. Oh, and it is not just the young ones. It's all ages and walks of life. Scary.

[enjoythemusic]

Wife 'forced me' into texting. I'd rather have a basic phone like the small Motorola Startac.

[Blansky]

My wife and I had this discussion yesterday. I told her that I thought corporations gave everyone permission to lower the standards and make it ok to be rude.

Years ago when in public you kept your voice down, and engaged with who you were with. You could go to an airport, restaurant or public space and there were generally good manners. When cellphones first came out, if you had a call you generally walked to an unoccupied area and answered the call. You'd get some pretty dirty looks if you answered it in a public space. But once they became ubiquitous and business people were answering their phones everywhere, it gave everyone permission to do the same.

My wife worked for a fortune 500 company and was at the airports at least once a week, and her behavior changed along with everyone else. It was rather subtle and she didn't even notice it until I pointed it out. Same in restaurants. The person calling or texting was actually more important than the person they were with and they had to drop everything to answer.

Most people are actually addicted to their phones although they'd never admit it. Get them to turn them off for a week except for calls and they'd have a very difficult time doing it, in fact most people check their phones probably more than once every 5 minutes and have notification turned on from everything you can imagine.

Unfortunately nothing will change.

We saw a woman standing at a intersection last week who was staring at her phone, and the light changed and she started to walk across the street without looking and almost got creamed by someone jumping a late yellow light.

[GB-man]

I have notifications off for everything but texts, calls and work email. Even with that my screen time is embarrassing. Most of my screen time is centered around watches so maybe I should exit this hobby. Something tells me I’ll fill the void as I have in the past with car forums, whisky trading etc

[Krash]

Meanwhile, I’m at the gym working out. I’m reading this thread on my phone in between reps. But I agree, the addiction is strong and virtually impossible to overcome. Everyone on the planet is now a cellphone junkie.


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by Krash

Meanwhile, I’m at the gym working out. I’m reading this thread on my phone in between reps. But I agree, the addiction is strong and virtually impossible to overcome. Everyone on the planet is now a cellphone junkie.


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Well here's one that's not several weeks ago was driving home when a young woman with a baby in push chair walked out in the road between two parked cars,I had to swing hard and brake hard to avoid her.She was glued to her phone I got out of my car and asked her what was more important her bloody phone or her child in her care.And I now see this almost daily mainly those of younger ages just glued to there phones.Cell phones are great but not supposed to be permanently glued to them everywhere you go.

[Tools]

I'm more a people watcher than a cell phone watcher.

It's true though. At the doctors office, or any other office, almost nobody brings along a book any more, they are glued to the phone.

I have a cell phone, but my life isn't on it, and if you want me to answer a text you will have to wait until I find it and check. That might take a while.

[ButtButt]

I hate it too, nothing more sad than going to dinner and seeing a family at a table and each person is just looking at their phones and no one is talking.

I get it, everyone needs their phone and it's a part of every day life nowadays, but at least make an effort to put it down once in a while.

[stephentross]

I try to leave my cell phone at home as often as possible. When I deleted Facebook I felt free. When I leave home with no connected devices It feels like it did when I was a kid. Try it out. Its great. No-one can contact you. It is pure bliss.

[dba]

Originally Posted by superdog

3 separate people were on the phone talking, with the phone on speaker. Sorry, one was listening to the news...with his phone on speaker.

I always find it disappointing when I see families sitting at a dinner table, each ensconced in their phones. I guess I come from a more melancholy time where I'd give anything to sit at a dinner table with my parents and my eldest brother and just talk about our respective days.

Cell phones and the advent of social media are both a boon and a bane to society as a whole.

[colpol]

Totally agree.

Luckily I’m at the age when can remember a world without phones so I can take or leave them. My daughters just moved down to England so handy for WhatsApp video chats etc but don’t get this constant head fond/ scrolling etc

[INC]

These are not phones anymore, but this:



And all of these Matrix dwellers biggest problem is, that this is not reality.

Yet.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by dba

I always find it disappointing when I see families sitting at a dinner table, each ensconced in their phones. I guess I come from a more melancholy time where I'd give anything to sit at a dinner table with my parents and my eldest brother and just talk about our respective days.

Cell phones and the advent of social media are both a boon and a bane to society as a whole.

I love this!!!!!!!!!

[pickettt]

By design.

[Calatrava r]

So, with all that said who's buying the I phone 15?

[Old Geezer]

[Nikrnic]

Ah yes, then there's the radiation factor.
I forger the model, number but I read a new Apple IPhone was just banned in France for their stricter radiation level policies on cell phones

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[Krash]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

So, with all that said who's buying the I phone 15?

Not immediately, but probably within the next several months.


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[enjoythemusic]

Noticed it 'starting' to the big downside in 2013 during a German luxury premium audio show. I tend to be a 'people watcher' at these events, so 2013.....


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[sski]

Originally Posted by Tools

I'm more a people watcher than a cell phone watcher.

It's true though. At the doctors office, or any other office, almost nobody brings along a book any more, they are glued to the phone.

I have a cell phone, but my life isn't on it, and if you want me to answer a text you will have to wait until I find it and check. That might take a while.

to be fair, they might be reading a book on the Kindle app! (i do so alot. kindle, trf, & reddit!)

[Jackie Daytona]

I’m with you. It’s way too much. It’s worrisome really. Everyone is losing perspective a bit as well due to it I think.

[Gladiat0r]

I remember when cell phones were for business only. Then when blackberry came out it changed everything. And iPhone was final nails in the coffin. We opened Pandora’s box. Regardless of all the wonders that smartphones have brought with it, it could be the biggest catalyst for the degradation of our society. I absolutely wish these things never existed and hate them for all that they are.
With that said…new iPhone 15 pro on order baby!

Lol….seriously though, I recommend this to everyone as a compromise. Take a week off of social media. See if after one week you truly feel more productive and overall bette about your life. My short stint with social media resulted in me deleting it from my phone and never going back. Do I miss out on some stuff, events, and even very good positive interactions and friendships? Yes. But those sacrifices were absolutely worth it. I can’t believe how much more free and positive my life has become. And yet again, here I am typing this from my phone…

[NachoNeal]

Originally Posted by Gherm

For me, it's the driving while texting/ogling the phone. I regularly look to see how many people are on their phones while operating, and it's frighteningly common. Oh, and it is not just the young ones. It's all ages and walks of life. Scary.

Especially scary from my perspective as an avid cyclist.

[NachoNeal]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtdpJlZ07u4
Larry David's imaginary cellphone conversation in restaurant.