The only thing I hate more than facebook (and similar sites) is the smartphone. I have a smartphone rant on my webpage - not that anyone reads it. But writing and adding to it (regularly) is very cathartic.
That's because of "Societal expectation" - everyone is EXPECTED to have one these days. Nobody needs one of the damn things, they just think they do. The cost to society of catering to these things is ENORMOUS. They have pretty much destroyed good webpage design thanx to Google's "Mobile First" crap - am I the only one who sees a conflict of interest here? I'm even pissed off that I'm forced to have a flip, but driving a 40 year old car coupled with no more payphones means I'm up shit creek if something bad happens. I also don't text much - most of the time I have texting turned off.As for "smart"phones, I hate them with the same passion that you seem to have. As much because we seemingly "have" to have one to accomplish anything these days. My flip phone is for making calls. PERIOD. The only caveat to that is the camera. In case of an accident, I'll use it to prove that the other guy was at fault.
That's because of "Societal expectation" - everyone is EXPECTED to have one these days. Nobody needs one of the damn things, they just think they do. The cost to society of catering to these things is ENORMOUS. They have pretty much destroyed good webpage design thanx to Google's "Mobile First" crap - am I the only one who sees a conflict of interest here? I'm even pissed off that I'm forced to have a flip, but driving a 40 year old car coupled with no more payphones means I'm up shit creek if something bad happens. I also don't text much - most of the time I have texting turned off.
In any event, if you're up for a rant, and I mean an EPIC rant:
https://www.doubleveil.net/phoooooonne.htm
Agreed. Smartphone Zombies are everywhere. I detested the '80s when everybody was walking around with headphones on. These thing are worse by orders of magnitude.That's because of "Societal expectation" - everyone is EXPECTED to have one these days. Nobody needs one of the damn things, they just think they do. The cost to society of catering to these things is ENORMOUS.
I don't mind HAVING a cell phone, I just hate that so much seems to require one. I like the flip phone. It's small enough to live in my pocket, when I actually carry it. At home, it sits on my dresser, largely ignored. I carry it when I leave the house, primarily, as mentioned before, in case of a vehicle accident. Or in case my wife thinks of something else I needs to get at the store, OR, God forbid, I have to shoot some jackass who desperately needs it.I'm even pissed off that I'm forced to have a flip, but driving a 40 year old car coupled with no more payphones means I'm up shit creek if something bad happens. I also don't text much - most of the time I have texting turned off.
In any event, if you're up for a rant, and I mean an EPIC rant:
https://www.doubleveil.net/phoooooonne.htm
Yep pagerank more or less ruined the "general" internet - websites are now designed for it, not human consumption. You're no longer the target audience for the websites anymore - just the ads on it!
I have one of these and a hood lock waiting in the pile of things to install.
https://41twentytwo.com/product/vehicle-kill-switch/
Accident or the vagaries of driving a 40 year old car. My problem is that half the time, I forget to take the flip with me - that shows how little hold any type of phone has on my brain. I probably should just leave it in the car.At home, it sits on my dresser, largely ignored. I carry it when I leave the house, primarily, as mentioned before, in case of a vehicle accident.
I was a truck driver for thirty years. The company issued me a phone even before they were flip phones. I got used to carrying it, mainly because some of the places I went were pretty much South Nowhere Arizona, and if something happened, I could call for help. I had to do that a couple times, so I got used to carrying it.My problem is that half the time, I forget to take the flip with me - that shows how little hold any type of phone has on my brain. I probably should just leave it in the car.
I was a truck driver for thirty years. The company issued me a phone even before they were flip phones. I got used to carrying it, mainly because some of the places I went were pretty much South Nowhere Arizona, and if something happened, I could call for help. I had to do that a couple times, so I got used to carrying it.
Leaving it in your vehicle is not a bad idea per say, but unless you have an Always Hot power supply to plug it into, it probably won't be charged if you happen to need it.
As I said, mine sits on my dresser. But it has company: my EDC .45 sits right next to it, so when I'm hanging that on my belt, the phone is right there.
BTW, I read your Rant. LOVED it and agree with 'most every point you made.
My first phone was a Panasonic "bag" phone. LOVED THAT PHONE!! Used it for 18 years before they turned off the old analog ("G1") service. It had nice large, even HUGE buttons, a real handset, and an external antenna - with GREAT range. I took it offshore a few times and could get a cell signal 20 miles offshore. It plugged into the cigarette lighter so there were no battery worries. I'd still be using it today if I could.
Where is the rant? I can't find it on your site but I want to read it now.
Talk to the owner of this forum, I'm sure he can show you how to find the post just a few back that has the link...![]()
Seriously, here it is - but grab a cuppa before you start reading it as you'll be there for awhile...
https://www.doubleveil.net/phoooooonne.htm
I'm just lazy, that's my excuse.
That's a short story. I need to find a time where I can be uninterrupted for 30 minutes to process all of this!
Its turning into a novel - I don't get many hits on that page at all, but its cathartic to just write the stupid thing...
I agree, I often time write my rants and raves just for the simple reason that it's cathartic. Too most people I'd just sound like a raving lunatic.
Speaking of phones, do you remember when cell phones were new to the scene (or at least still in their infancy)?
I had a Motorola StarTac flip phone (black and white and no other ability than to place calls, that's it). I had Verizon network and that thing worked everywhere. I could call people from 10,000 feet at the summit of Mount Hood. I never experienced a dropped call, I rarely ever had a bad reception area, etc.
Now you get crappy reception anywhere you go, you always get dropped calls, and the networks are just trash.
My first phone was a Panasonic "bag" phone. LOVED THAT PHONE!! Used it for 18 years before they turned off the old analog ("G1") service. It had nice large, even HUGE buttons, a real handset, and an external antenna - with GREAT range. I took it offshore a few times and could get a cell signal 20 miles offshore. It plugged into the cigarette lighter so there were no battery worries. I'd still be using it today if I could.
