I am 27 years old. I live in the modern world. I am of sound mind (I think). And I have never owned a cell phone. I have never texted anyone. Please don’t throw me to the wolves.
I would not classify myself as a technology hating Luddite. I understand that without technology, I would not have a great many things that I enjoy. I would be nearly blind, because my crappy vision requires me to wear contacts. I would be melting in this scorching Houston heat without air conditioning. And I would not be typing up this blog, if it were not for technological innovations. So it would be hypocritical of me to make a blanket statement vilifying technology. I don’t think material objects are inherently good or evil. Things are just things with no moral sensibilities, although it might be interesting if objects like say toasters could make right and wrong choices.
I think with me, it’s just that I possess a simple nature. I don’t have a great desire to accumulate a treasure trove of technological treats. I don’t care to keep up with the latest gadgets and gizmos; it’s just not my style. I’m very much a person content with the interior life. I don’t have to always be looking outwards for satisfaction. I don’t need crazy amounts of extravagant external stimuli to keep me occupied and happy.
Some of my friends have told me that cell phones would make my life simpler, thus giving me what I want, but I draw a distinction between simplicity and convenience. Cell phones would certainly make my life more convenient. I could much better coordinate activities with friends. I could get directions when I’m lost in a forest. I could call for help when my car breaks down. But a cell phone would not automatically make my life simple. A cell phone would be another thing, another material possession that I would have to worry myself about maintaining and safeguarding. It would be something else that I would have to spend money to acquire and upkeep. And in general, I just have a value for limiting the amount of possessions I own.
That said I’m not discounting the possibility of ever owning a cell phone. But as of right now it’s not something I feel like I just have to have in order to derive meaning and contentment from this world.
I applaud your thinking.
ReplyDeleteI rarely use my cellphone,but it is convenient if I'm out and about.
I've just had some of my family visiting and although laptops,games and phones were in evidence they did limit their uses.
Here's a couple of quotes I quite like.
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. ~Confucius
Frugality is one of the most beautiful and joyful words in the English language, and yet one that we are culturally cut off from understanding and enjoying. The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in having things, and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things. ~Elise Boulding
I like your point of view. A simple life is better. So often we take the best things for granted. And society is sinking so deeply into electronics that they're forgetting how to deal face to face with other people. As far as cell phones go, I applaud your choice not to have one. I do...it beats a pay phone. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have a cell phone, either. I don't like them. I choose this day what technology will serve me, and I don't choose cell phones.
ReplyDeleteI respect your philosophy but I adore mine. I would be hopelessly lost all the time without the gps. I enjoy the security of weather updates and having email on the go. Especially since my computer is now such a dinosaur. It's much cheaper to use a mobile more now than invest in a new PC. Also, the Kindle app I think is as good as any e-reader.
ReplyDeletethank you for the post i crave more stimuli
ReplyDeleteI think you made some great points about why you don't want a cell phone. I understand what you are saying. I'm 36. For a good portion of my life, no one had cell phones and we survived just fine. :)
ReplyDeleteI finally got one two months ago, and have used it for a grand total of 5 minutes. Fortunately I have a prepaid plan, otherwise it wouldn't be worth it.
ReplyDeleteSad thing is I got the phone so I could contact my husband when we were in NYC this summer. I was attending a conference, and we thought it would be a good idea to have the phone in case I needed to call him. Too bad the phone didn't work. We're from Canada, so we needed a prepaid card that would let us do this. I was told it would work. Hmmm. Someone either lied or was clueless. :P
Waoh! now am speechless....I am a technology freak, and I love my phones but I try not to base my life on these things
ReplyDeleteI held off getting a cell phone for a long time. My hubby made me get one in case I needed to contact him while I was out and about. That's pretty much all I use mine for.
ReplyDeleteNow this is interesting. Cell phones are certainly not simple, but they are convenient. Any which way, it's all good. Thanks so much for visiting my blog
ReplyDeleteAdiya
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GOOD FOR YOU!!!!
ReplyDeletecool to hear all of your thoughts on this whole cell phone thing, and glebe thanks for sharing those quotes, they're awesome, i will remember them!
ReplyDeleteIf the difference between life and death in case of an emergency is a 9-1-1 call, would you wish you had a cell phone then?
ReplyDeleteI hate cell phones, because I hate what winy pussies every has become. "I need to talk to you noooowwwww... I couldn't wait half an hour for you to get hoooooooooommmmeeee... WAAAAAA!!!!!' Gosh people shut the hell up and let me have some ALONE time. When I go out I don't want people calling me about stupid crap that can wait. It's annoying. I ENJOY my alone time. I feel I will be forced to get one soon... but I would rather not have one.
ReplyDeletehaha... i know what you mean about alone time.
DeleteCellphone is very important to all of us cause we need to communicate our family if we leave in different place or we are in danger we can ask their help..so we should have cellphone with us.
ReplyDeleteCell phone repair