Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

This former influencer gave up her smartphone. She says you should, too
npr ^ | 04/07/2025 | Anandita Bhalerao , Andrew Mambo

Posted on 04/09/2025 1:34:57 PM PDT by BenLurkin

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-65 next last
To: HartleyMBaldwin

My wife and I got rid of our land line not long after the turn of the century. And now, because we travel a LOT, the map function on those phones is extremely valuable to us. They even work in the Bahamas.

And before I retired I used it for my commute. It allowed me to avoid bad backups on numerous occasions.

There are a ton of other advantages too, but I could go on for hours about how useful smart phones are.

But I don’t do social media.


21 posted on 04/09/2025 2:26:58 PM PDT by cuban leaf (2024 is going to be one for the history books, like 1939. And 2025 will be more so, like 1940-1945.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Life was fine back in the days of the land line. Even before that.


22 posted on 04/09/2025 2:28:08 PM PDT by GingisK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Nachoman

“”so many people assume every man woman and child in America has a smart phone.””

So many PEOPLE plus so many businesses - hard to do business with someone who advises you to “go to your phone AND”...My phone is cordless sitting beside my computer which is also antique - desk top. A FLIP phone (for emergencies) that never leaves my purse except to call the power company to tell them my power is off..which is weird because their message will tell me to go to their site for further information....when there’s NO POWER???? AGAIN - assuming you are calling from a smart phone!

Can’t beat $20 per month for the use of A PHONE that doesn’t do anything except sit around idle - hiding out in my purse.


23 posted on 04/09/2025 2:31:25 PM PDT by Thank You Rush ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Some people are very low-tech and cannot adapt and adjust to normal 21st Century technology and that’s okay.

We see people who swear by their 1990 model car or truck and would never want a new modern vehicle and that’s okay.

We see people who are unable to use normal modern tools and equipment so as to enjoy normal life and that’s OK too.

If you can’t handle a smartphone, then give it up and your computer, your modern appliances and cars and live the 1950 life. It can be done.


24 posted on 04/09/2025 2:35:09 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd (Nobody elected Elon Musk? Well nobody elected the Deep State either.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cuban leaf

I use the camera more than I thought. Taking something apart, it helps to put it back together. It helps me document what still needs to be done on projects at a different location from my shop. Taking a picture of something before I go to the store for parts. I even use it to take pictures of nuts and screws in difficult locations.


25 posted on 04/09/2025 2:36:08 PM PDT by alternatives?
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Jamestown1630

I can request an e-mail ilo text in most cases.

My email seems to be clunky and slow. Plus I have a free email which is likely thoroughly scanned by the email host.

Surveillance is everywhere.


26 posted on 04/09/2025 2:36:21 PM PDT by Paladin2 ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: ImJustAnotherOkie

Nonsense, I’d bet you a dollar to a hole in a doughnut she’s posted this from her cell phone.

_________________________________________

Or her computer. If she can’t handle a cell phone, then her computer skills and usage is probably whack as well.

Some people just can’t adjust to normal daily life.


27 posted on 04/09/2025 2:38:00 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd (Nobody elected Elon Musk? Well nobody elected the Deep State either.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: alternatives?
Right. And for those who won't/can't adapt to smart phones with their amazing camera tech features, there's always this....

The Best 35mm Film (I Shot and Reviewed 12+ Rolls)

28 posted on 04/09/2025 2:43:30 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd (Nobody elected Elon Musk? Well nobody elected the Deep State either.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: alternatives?

Yep. I am amazed how much I use the camera when buying things, fixing things, you name it. Sometimes if I need to see something in a hard to get at location I’ll set the time to three seconds, turn on the flash, hold it where it can see the thing and get a shot that clearly shows me what I needed to see.

In fact, I have an old smart phone that I use for all of the smart features, including connectivity to Youtube using wi-fi, but only as the equivalent of a small “iPad”. It’s camera is actually better than the camera in my active smart phone.


29 posted on 04/09/2025 2:44:25 PM PDT by cuban leaf (2024 is going to be one for the history books, like 1939. And 2025 will be more so, like 1940-1945.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

My 25 year old son just switched to a flip phone.


30 posted on 04/09/2025 2:47:34 PM PDT by cyclotic (Don’t be part of the problem. Be the entire problem)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

No, I can put my device down anytime. Lately I’m only on Free Republic not even 10 hours a day.


31 posted on 04/09/2025 2:49:42 PM PDT by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

I don’t think it’s that they can’t handle the technology.
They all seem very good at that.

It’s the content that becomes addictive.


32 posted on 04/09/2025 2:51:52 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

I went a little the other way. I refused forever to get a smart phone till COVID, after I was living in a hotel after a house fire.

No longer had a computer and GPS is a life saver for me as I get lost in my own home town.

However, I do not live on it. My work won’t let us bring them into the job. Have to leave them in a locker. I don’t mind.


33 posted on 04/09/2025 2:58:22 PM PDT by packrat35 (Pureblood! No clot shot for me!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2

I hate two factor authorization. Who decided the world wants to use their phone every time they get online. I had to call Amazon to get it shut off so my wife could use our account to buy stuff.


34 posted on 04/09/2025 3:00:03 PM PDT by packrat35 (Pureblood! No clot shot for me!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: HartleyMBaldwin

“I had no idea I was so far ahead of the times.”

Comparing yourself to a leftist democrat artist on NPR ...


35 posted on 04/09/2025 3:00:48 PM PDT by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

I still have a landline. I only use my cellphone for emergencies and there’s no internet access, no voice mail, etc. it makes outgoing calls and receives incoming. The phone is always...ALWAYS off. It amazes me how many people can’t function without a damn phone in their face, and it annoys me to no end at a red light and the car in front of me just sits there when the light turns green because he/she has his/her face in a phone. And then there’s the idiots at the gas station or grocery store who let the whole place hear their mind numbing conversation.


36 posted on 04/09/2025 3:01:07 PM PDT by rockabyebaby (THE BEST IS YET TO COME - (PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jamestown1630

There have been addictive personalities throughout all generations.


37 posted on 04/09/2025 3:01:28 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd (Nobody elected Elon Musk? Well nobody elected the Deep State either.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: cuban leaf

Yes...GPS is a Godsend to me. I can get lost anywhere but GPS rules the day for me!


38 posted on 04/09/2025 3:02:05 PM PDT by packrat35 (Pureblood! No clot shot for me!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido

No, I can put my device down anytime. Lately I’m only on Free Republic not even 10 hours a day.

___________________________________

Do you also wake up in the middle of the night to check new threads and pings?

I feel ya, bro.


39 posted on 04/09/2025 3:03:41 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd (Nobody elected Elon Musk? Well nobody elected the Deep State either.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: cuban leaf

I love audiobooks. When smartphones develop the capability of handling audiobooks, I started keeping several novels and my phone so I can listen over the car radio while driving around. I love it.


40 posted on 04/09/2025 3:04:51 PM PDT by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-65 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson