Posted on 06/04/2015 9:42:45 PM PDT by thomasryan
(Thomas Dishaw) As a blogger and concerned citizen I try to put my money where my mouth is. I believe voting with my dollars is a way of life, therefore I do my best to only support companies, products, and people who I truly stand behind morally and politically. I came to an understanding long ago that the only way to get a point across criminal corporations is to affect their bottom line.
Over the last few months I have been having discussions with friends and family about getting rid of my smartphone and downgrading to a cheaper, less traceable flip phone. Sounds crazy, right? Most people think so, but at these critical times when everybody is distracted by their smartphones, a major social breakdown in society is happening . What used to be sounds of conversation, laughter and happiness surrounding us has been replaced by an eerie silence only filled with email and text alerts. We have become slaves to our devices, almost never looking up in fear of missing something from our glowing screens that continues to sell us propaganda and unhappiness for pennies on the dollar. Most acknowledgements like Hello or How are you are returned with dirty stares and confusion from people forced to look up from their personal enslavement devices.
So this really got me to start thinking why am I paying a AT&T to spy on me? I give them $110.00 a month for access to my own personal information, but what am I getting out of this deal? This is the question I often asked myself. I carry around a big brother tracking device that sends everything I do to EVERY alphabet agency on the planet, and ANY corporation that would pay a dime for my psychological profile and buying habits. You may be thinking, like a lot of people, well if you have nothing to hide, you shouldnt care. Well I have everything to hide and I do care, and so should you.
smartphone-collection
PEOPLE LIKE ME ARE DANGEROUS
I decided I needed to make a change. As most continue to go high-tech, I made the unpopular decision of going lo-tech. After weeks of toying with the idea of ditching my smartphone I finally did it. Called AT&T, dumped my $110 a month service and switched to NET 10 for $35 a month unlimited phone & text (no internet). With that move alone I am already saving $75 per month and almost $1,000 per year. But more importantly Im proving to myself and others that you dont just have to put up with these phone companies because its the status quot. There are other options that allow you to still be connected but without giving up your freedom of privacy. I know I cant stop 100% of the unconstitutional spying but I can start by controlling who I support.
In a weird way I actually enjoy the stares I get from people when my Nintendo sounding ring tone signals an incoming call when I forget to turn the vibrate on. I know people are secretly judging me, but I dont care. He must be a drug dealer, a criminal, or thats a second phone for his mistress. He must have bad credit, or even worse hes poor. The main stream media wants us to think this way. They used the same narrative when attacking Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones who was caught talking on a flip phone. The media made fun of Jones, attacking his lack of style and financial stature as a reason for using such an outdated device. Im sure Jerrys having the last laugh as he is making million dollar phone calls from his secure satellite phone.
Over the last month Ive noticed that I need my phone less and less. Prior to this my cell phone used to follow me in trips to the bathroom, at the dinner table, and in the bedroom. Now I find it easy to abandon on the kitchen table and barely use a full battery. The biggest shock to me is that I dont even miss it. Im getting more accomplished everyday, Im not wasting time on Facebook or getting sucked into the smart phone trance that often distracts us.
Some things are taking a little while to get used to though. I dont have the luxury of taking a quality photo with my flip phone. I cant get driving directions with my navigation app. I cant look up a business or phone number on the fly. Texting is really tough compared to ease of my old big brother tracking device. And yes people will notice the difference. I recently got a text from a friend saying we dont talk as much, and I found that it was too much to type a whole explanation on my flip phone. I guess Ill just have to explain in person.
I dont like to make bold predictions, but I dont ever see myself going back to a smart phone. I know over the next few years the temptation will be great with all the new technology that continues to be developed. But to me the pros outweigh the cons:
PROS
Voting with my dollars
Saving money
More productive
Cut the surveillance drastically
Eliminate the radiation risks
Engaging in more conversation
Im not texting while driving
Im less distracted and more aware of my surroundings
CONS
Cant take a good picture
Its a hassle to text
Cant Email
Cant surf the web
Cant get driving directions
Cant enjoy the internet from my bed
The pros drastically outweigh the cons, so stop being a slave. If the opportunity ever arises to ditch your cell phone try it. I guarantee it will be one of the best investments in time and quality of life that you ever make.
Yep, me too. It’s the only stable web connection I have.
Plus, it doesn't have a GPS tracker nor texting ability since I don't have the need to tell everyone I know (or the World) that I just fed the dog. Social media is a detriment to our society. We read every day that Facebook, Tweeter, Instagram is a cause of suicides amongst teens, and used for many nefarious purposes.
Disclaimer; This is written on a new 2in1 computer (computer and screen) and an audio/video guy with all the latest components, including a 110" screen. So I have no aversion to some new technology.
What kind of landline service do you have that only costs $3.85 mo?
There was a large unit placed under the seat that was wired to a handset that had the squirrly cord (think home phones with the long cords) connected to it. Long before Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Just making the point that I am not tech adverse.
However, Social Media has been a detriment to human communications because it allows anonymous users to say things they wouldn't when face to face. Plus, when I tried Facebook, I was amazed at the inane crap people would post every day about their slightest nothing activities. And then there is the "Friends" competition. They're not friends, they're just some anonymous persons who agrees with such idiotic postings. Now you just click yes if in agreement.
Flip phones aren’t less traceable. They still get pinged every 7 seconds.
We bought an Ooma. We own the unit, and it runs through the internet. We only pay federal use tax and 911 fees, though the service is free. Initial cost for the unit is about $120 and about $40 to have your phone number ported over. You don’t pay the $40 if you get a new number from ooma.
www.ooma.com
Without a smartphone, whatever will you do while you poop?
Good deal! Just be aware, that it is good for the life of the phone as long as you use it. It can't be transferred!
I recently upgraded TracFone from a slider to an TracFone LG smartphone. When I transferred the minutes from the old phone, it did not transfer the double minutes total. TracFone people explained that they will only transfer the total you bought, not the doubled (or tripled) amount tied to a previous phone. It didn't matter to me as I had over 4000 accumulated minutes, and keeping over 2000 was good enough. The double or triple will take effect on new cards you purchase for the newer model phone (if offered, which I look for when upgrading).
That said, wish I would have chose the LG instead of Alcatel(smaller screen but more int. memory for apps).
interesting stuff
Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.