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I Ditched my Smartphone for 12 Months But it Was a Bad Decision
MSN ^ | 2/21

Posted on 02/21/2024 1:38:11 PM PST by nickcarraway

When my iPhone suddenly stopped working 12 months ago, my immediate reaction surprised me. There I was, out of the loop on social media, nearly impossible to contact, but instead of feeling nervous or overcome with FOMO, total and utter relief flooded my veins.

Like, according to PC Mag 67% of millennials, I’ve tried and failed to spend less time on my phone. I’ve downloaded all of the productivity apps, tried making rules and systems, and read books about breaking bad habits — to no avail. No matter what I did, I was still averaging three hours and at least 80 pick-ups per day.

Thinking back to Steve Jobs’ famous unveiling of the iPhone, his visionary enthusiasm seemed in stark contrast to my resentment of this strange device in my pocket that I couldn’t seem to put down. And so when it died, instead of rushing to get it fixed, I decided I wouldn’t ignore this feeling. I put my broken phone in the drawer and bought a $30 Nokia.

At first, I felt great

Within a couple of weeks of life without a smartphone, the damage it had done became abundantly clear. The fog of overstimulation began to lift, and I started taking pleasure in the little things again.

(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Education; Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: williamhaigen
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To: nickcarraway

One thing that makes it so compelling is its in our nature to look towards what’s coming towards us, to pay attention to what may be coming and to socialize over it and share information.

All you have to do is think back to how the Bible records that the city gates, in ancient times, were places of congregation. People were looking to what was developing next, and sharing information of what was happening.

What’s going on on one’s phone can often mean that it seems more relevant to us than what’s going on around us. And if we’re doing something like waiting in a line, that may be true.

But it’s a tradeoff, and often not a good one, because we often do miss out on a lot of what we’d be taking in around us that actually does have relevance to us, if we weren’t on our phones. Those types of things actually did have meaning and usefulness to us, although they often didn’t feel that way at the time. For instance, unexpected conversations with strangers.


21 posted on 02/21/2024 2:13:21 PM PST by Faith Presses On (Willing to die for Christ, if it's His will--politics should prepare people for the Gospel)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

My wife and I went into civilization and she turned on the cell phone during lunch.

We discussed our future trip to China—lots of details.

(Hint—we were lying—no trip—just lying to them like they lie to us.)


22 posted on 02/21/2024 2:14:08 PM PST by cgbg ("Our democracy" = Their Kleptocracy)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“The NSA thanks you for making their total-surveillance state possible.”

Do you have a smart phone? Or are you just trolling me again?


23 posted on 02/21/2024 2:14:25 PM PST by TexasGator
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To: Beowulf9

What is “Smart Phone”?


24 posted on 02/21/2024 2:19:08 PM PST by gdzla (Tyrannis Seditio, Obsequium Deo)
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To: TexasGator

If you have any manners, at all, please do not post to me again.

I find your posts to be irritating and of little value.


25 posted on 02/21/2024 2:22:15 PM PST by Empire_of_Liberty
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To: HereInTheHeartland

First I heard of that - explain to old guy how to scan in Notes on iPhone.


26 posted on 02/21/2024 2:27:06 PM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
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To: PIF

I’m the old guy, it’s fun to show it to someone half my age at work!
1) open the Notes app
2) click on the icon that’s square with a diagonal line( it’s supposed to sheet of paper and a pen.
3) click next on camera icon
4) you should see a menu with a choice to “scan documents”

You just scan the pages you want and save and can just email it right from the app


27 posted on 02/21/2024 2:32:26 PM PST by HereInTheHeartland (Have you seen Joe Biden's picture on a milk carton?)
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To: kiryandil

I make smartphones without maps! So take THAT!


28 posted on 02/21/2024 2:38:48 PM PST by DariusBane (Liberty and Risk. Flip sides of the same coin. So how much risk will YOU accept? Vive Deo et Vives)
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To: DariusBane
   
29 posted on 02/21/2024 2:40:19 PM PST by kiryandil
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To: nickcarraway
What a coinkydink...

Georgia AG claims not having a phone makes you a criminal That’s dangerous for constitutional rights

Another coinkydink: The author's an Aussie.

30 posted on 02/21/2024 2:41:48 PM PST by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
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To: TexasGator

You trolled three other posters.

I mentioned that you were trolling.


31 posted on 02/21/2024 2:42:47 PM PST by kiryandil
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To: Gene Eric

Fear of Missing Out on the latest Current Thing from Globohomo


32 posted on 02/21/2024 2:45:44 PM PST by Reverend Wright ( Everything touched by progressives, dies !)
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To: kiryandil

“You trolled three other posters.

I mentioned that you were trolling.”

I made on-topic comments. You trolled me with off-topic name-calling intending to hijack the thread.


33 posted on 02/21/2024 2:47:03 PM PST by TexasGator
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To: nickcarraway
I enjoy not having a smart phone. I can drive anywhere I want to go without a smart phone. No worries! Like I have been doing since around 1974. I never need to recharge or pay by the month for my folding paper map.
34 posted on 02/21/2024 2:51:49 PM PST by 4yearlurker (Arise and shine,and give God the glory!-A trail cook's morning call.)
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To: TexasGator
And here's yet another troll by you...

Are you longing for a mini-vacay. yet again?

35 posted on 02/21/2024 2:54:46 PM PST by kiryandil
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To: nickcarraway

Smart phones are great for my business. I have one for my calls. I have one in my office tethered to my server, and one more at my off-grid home for internet. I don’t do any social media outside of FR


36 posted on 02/21/2024 2:56:51 PM PST by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes.)
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To: HereInTheHeartland

You just scan the pages you want and save and can just email it right from the app
************************
What’s the difference between that and just taking a photo of the document.


37 posted on 02/21/2024 2:58:47 PM PST by sunny bonobo
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To: kiryandil

“And here’s yet another troll by you...
Are you longing for a mini-vacay. yet again?”

I was responding to your post to me. It gives me pleasure to know that even on vacation Inam still living rent free in your head.


38 posted on 02/21/2024 2:59:19 PM PST by TexasGator
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To: 4yearlurker

“I never need to recharge or pay by the month for my folding paper map.”

Does your paper map show your location?


39 posted on 02/21/2024 3:02:04 PM PST by TexasGator
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To: TexasGator
It gives me pleasure to know that even on vacation Inam still living rent free in your head

It gives me pleasure to know that even on vacation onanism is still living rent free in your head.

40 posted on 02/21/2024 3:04:56 PM PST by kiryandil
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