A Scientific Study, Day 30.
This is it: the end of the month. I won’t lie; I don’t want the experiment to end. I like not having a phone. The sense of freedom that has welled up inside of me has far outweighed any and all inconveniences that the lack of a cell phone have caused me. But I fear that if I continue this behavior beyond this month, some people will lose their patience with me.
This is what I’m struggling with: is the cell phone a social necessity? Am I, in effect, casting myself out of society by rejecting this norm?
I cancelled my Myspace page the other day, and true to form, there was an error and I’m not sure if it actually deleted my account. I’m sick of technology. Sure, I’m overlooking all of the ways technology has helped me, but – again – I’m certain that the problems have outweighed the benefits.
A very reasonable solution suggested to me was to get a pay-as-you-go phone, which would be useful for trips out of town, etc. That, and a watch.
I’m just over all of it, really. My only concern is coming across as if I think I’m above it all.
Comments
10.01.09 / Ben Moral:
Jimbo, I love you man, but I think the fact that you’re wrestling with this phone thing might say more about you and your social needs than it does about society. I lived without a cell phone for a long time. I got one when I went on the Warped tour and needed it, I kept it because appreciated the convenience of checking messages on the go and calling people whenever I had a free moment.
There have surely been times when I’ve felt tethered by it, and I’ve taken breaks (some intentional, some accidental — e.g. those caused by the Sandy river…)
The fact is: technology has made having interactions with people easier. The quality of those interactions may be degraded. This is a trade off. But nothing inherent in having a phone prevents you from ALSO having the quality interactions that you seem to long for.
Ditch the phone or don’t, either way — it’s the intentionality of the time you spend with people that matters.
10.01.09 / Ben Moral:
Also, if you DO ditch it, this seems like the logical way to go:
http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html
10.11.09 / Nick:
I have been using a prepaid for 2 months. Not a bad way to go.
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