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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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1 posted on 02/21/2024 1:38:11 PM PST by nickcarraway
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Is FOMO anything like FUD ?


2 posted on 02/21/2024 1:39:42 PM PST by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist! )
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To: nickcarraway

Why no attribution for the author of the article, William Haigen? It’s right in front of you, right there in the byline.


3 posted on 02/21/2024 1:44:54 PM PST by 4Runner (It's okay, really it is. I'm on 500 mgs of Fukitol.)
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To: nickcarraway

I don’t have a smart phone. I make maps that I follow all the time easily and find the places I map.

He needs to get better at making maps.


4 posted on 02/21/2024 1:48:25 PM PST by Beowulf9
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To: Gene Eric
FOMO is either
Fear Of Missing Out, or
Fani Oppressively Murders Opponents
5 posted on 02/21/2024 1:48:33 PM PST by Tell It Right (1st Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: Beowulf9

“I don’t have a smart phone. I make maps that I follow all the time easily and find the places I map.”

I have a smart phone. I don’t waste time making maps!


6 posted on 02/21/2024 1:51:19 PM PST by TexasGator
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To: TexasGator

I don’t have to pay for a smart phone.


7 posted on 02/21/2024 1:52:16 PM PST by Beowulf9
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To: Beowulf9

“I don’t have to pay for a smart phone.”

My smart phone pays for itself several times over not counting the time savings.


8 posted on 02/21/2024 1:55:25 PM PST by TexasGator
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To: nickcarraway
I have been using a smartphone for close to seven years now. But I barely touched their capabilities. The main use is for contact with my wife and immediate family (text messaging, phone calls). I do appreciate the larger screen for text messaging.

I will take the occasional photo or map lookup or Internet lookup while out and about, but none of those are critical. I don't access emails on my phone, nor any of our financial or medical accounts. I don't have "smart pay" set up. Using a credit card or cash works just fine.

I will add that one feature that has been useful is WiFi Calling. This has been quite handy at home, where our neighborhood gets mediocre cell reception with all carriers. 5G, which I turned off on my iPhone, is not reliable for anyone in the area.

Because of my low usage, the battery in my iPhone 13 will probably outlast the phone's ability to be iOS-updated down the line in the future.

9 posted on 02/21/2024 1:59:29 PM PST by CatOwner (Don't expect anyone, even conservatives, to have your back when the SHTF in 2021 and beyond.)
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To: nickcarraway

so this stupid did not know how to put music from a computer to a music device, have a telephone, use a map, or entertain himself.


10 posted on 02/21/2024 2:00:19 PM PST by Chickensoup
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To: nickcarraway

One of the best productivity apps on a IPhone that no one knows about, is the scanner built into the Notes app.
It makes excellent quality scans that are as good as a expensive office scanner.


11 posted on 02/21/2024 2:04:08 PM PST by HereInTheHeartland (Have you seen Joe Biden's picture on a milk carton?)
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To: Beowulf9

It is an eye opener to return to driving without that stupid navigation system hogging your attention. You actually learn the appearance of the roads you drive.

Actual paper maps are getting hard to find. I predict that street signs and other driver navigational aids will fall into disrepair.

I have worked on Smart Phones and I know what’s in them. I will never own one, again.


12 posted on 02/21/2024 2:04:32 PM PST by Empire_of_Liberty
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To: Beowulf9

You accidentally stimulated the TrollAGator.

I too make maps, without my smartphone. :)


13 posted on 02/21/2024 2:06:14 PM PST by kiryandil
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To: TexasGator
My smart phone pays for itself several times over not counting the time savings.

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

14 posted on 02/21/2024 2:06:32 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (The worst thing about censorship is █████ ██ ████ ████████ █ ███████ ████. FJB.)
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To: Chickensoup

“so this stupid did not know how to put music from a computer to a music device, have a telephone, use a map, or entertain himself.”

The smart phone does all the above and more.


15 posted on 02/21/2024 2:07:15 PM PST by TexasGator
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To: nickcarraway

bookmark


16 posted on 02/21/2024 2:08:02 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: nickcarraway

It really amazes me sometimes that there are actually people out there writing about useless stuff, and getting paid to do it. Actually making a living from it. I guess it’s better writing about stuff like this than being a political scribe for the DNC.


17 posted on 02/21/2024 2:08:26 PM PST by Gaffer
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To: Empire_of_Liberty

“It is an eye opener to return to driving without that stupid navigation system hogging your attention. You actually learn the appearance of the roads you drive.”

The navigation system doesn’t hog your attention.

“I have worked on Smart Phones and I know what’s in them. I will never own one, again.”

They are smarter than you?


18 posted on 02/21/2024 2:10:47 PM PST by TexasGator
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To: nickcarraway

If cell service went down for over a day, people would be having withdrawal and some would become crazier than they already are. After a few days, watch out.


19 posted on 02/21/2024 2:11:28 PM PST by laplata (They want each crisis to take the greatest toll possible.)
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To: kiryandil

“You accidentally stimulated the TrollAGator.”

You are the one trolling.


20 posted on 02/21/2024 2:11:52 PM PST by TexasGator
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