Going Underground

[misswired]

It's been a little over two months without a cellphone and I'm liking it. The first week was like nicotine withdrawals but the shakes quickly subsided. Everyone keeps telling me what a cheap plan they have and what carriers have good coverage. One friend was concerned for my safety citing 'What if" happened. Told her 911 was supposed to be accessible and I do keep it charged within reach. (they just don't get it)

After this post the computer will be shut-off for a week and the TV will only be viewed for fishing weather updates. The itinerary: partying with old friends, fine back porch dining, fishing everyday with a nap or two mixed in.

Letting out a deep breath, felt my shoulders relax and drop down a couple of inches.

ETA: sent out a robo email to all contacts "Dropped off the grid a few days...No worries, I'm not dead....In fact I'm busy living!"

 

[nodpete]

I have a cell phone plan for $3/mo I get 30 minutes. I've never even come close to using 30 minutes.

 

[BearBio]

I check my cell every few days for messages=that's all!

 

[muddocktor]

Have yourself some fun then.

 

[woodsltc]

Well, I was going to try and reply something "witty" to misswired, but heck, he has signed off now for at least a week ..... so no point in replying.

Don

 

[Rustyt1953]

I have Bob's address if anyone wants to commune with him using the ways of our ancestors.

 

[Rudi]

I have a cheap burner phone, stick some minutes on it every 3 months. Only have it for emergencies.

 

[Faulkner]

Technology is not a bad thing if used appropriately and within reason. Problem is, too many folks these days don't have the discipline to exercise the freedoms they have in an appropriate manner. Hence, this is why we see things like road rage and mass shootings that we didn't used to see . . . it's a lack of personal discipline.

 

[6518John]

I have Bob's address if anyone wants to commune with him using the ways of our ancestors.

Yea Elder Rusty, verily I say onto thee, I shalt hitch mine oxen to mine cart and drive the beasts into evil city to cast my letter into the maw of the postal heathens. So it is written, so shall it be done.

 

[NYlakesider]

No cell service within a 5 mile radius from my house. I do not have a cell phone. My wife has one and of course when out and about many times were together.

That might be changing in the future. One carrier recently has asked the town/county to allow them to use the tower on the mountain behind my house. (the tower went up about 7 years ago with space available, but up to now no cell company was interested.)

FWIW its rather funny to see the flat lander summer people up here trying to find a connection. They do everything but stand on their head!

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I have a flip phone (how quaint !), fits nicely in a holster on my Utility Belt, I have the basic plan. Texting is such a hassle I don't bother with it. Basically for emergencies.

 

[italiansport]

I have a cell phone plan for $3/mo I get 30 minutes. I've never even come close to using 30 minutes.

Please provide details for the rest of us!
Jim

 

[andy52]

Living the secret life I've heard it called.
I have no:
Facebook account
Twitter account
old flip phone only gets turned when I need it.
Watch less then a half hour of TV a day.
Run my computer with a VPN.
Very small digital footprint other then here.
I like it that way.

 

[6518John]

Please provide details for the rest of us!
Jim

I had this plan once, many years ago.

 

[Morgan88]

Isn't the key, you control the phone don't let it control you?

Morgan88

 

[BigBoy99]

I never got a cell phone and glad I didn't. A land line and answering machine is all I need. Computer is on for about a hour every other day to check emails. Just love the "electronic freedom"!

 

[nodpete]

Please provide details for the rest of us!
Jim

Gladly, it's a 'pre-paid' plan with T-mobile. It's a basic plan with no internet, no frills, just phone. I use it with a flip phone.

 

[Chukar60]

Y’all must be retired.
I own my own business and there is now way I can live without the smart phone.
I would love to live sans technology or at least very limited, but my customers insist on instant communication and information sharing.
I still manage without the farcebook account, no twitter, actually no social media at all.
I was told when I started my business that I needed social media presence. NAH!! Have been doing splendidly without it thank you very much.
When I retire, the cell phone will be like noidpete’s, emergency only.

 

[dmn57]

I admit I use a smart phone for a number of things, primarily to keep in touch with my daughters, but also it is really a multi-use pocket computer. As far as social media, never done it, never will. I don't even try to understand the current 'look at me' need to share every aspect of one's life.

 

[kamloops67]

I use my cel daily , i cant imagine ordering concrete via carrier pigeon
Another purpose is i can take snap shots of my blueprints to be used on the job site , much easier to deal with than a 24"x36" piece of paper
Very handy invention
Having said all that i do like to ignore the phone after hours or weekends .
I would welcome a vacation without one at all

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Don’t actually talk that much.
Text a bit.
Got a Text asking me to confirm a Monday Doc appt.
Confirmed it with a text reply.
I love my IPhone Camera!
Always have my phone, always have a camera.
Hey! There’s Elvis!
Where?
And when you are up at NRA Whittington and see a nice Gray Scout Rifle instead of that ugly red one -

 

[Old TexMex]

Trust me, shutting all of it down for a week or so is definitely worth it.

 

[Telecaster]

I use my cel daily , i cant imagine ordering concrete via carrier pigeon
Another purpose is i can take snap shots of my blueprints to be used on the job site , much easier to deal with than a 24"x36" piece of paper
Very handy invention
Having said all that i do like to ignore the phone after hours or weekends .
I would welcome a vacation without one at all

Blueprints are usually PDFs these days, easy to store on your phone.

My work phone stays in the office when I leave for the day.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Isn't the key, you control the phone don't let it control you?

Morgan88

As Shakespeare wrote, "Ay, there's the rub."

 

[oldbrownhat]

Yea Elder Rusty, verily I say onto thee, I shalt hitch mine oxen to mine cart and drive the beasts into evil city to cast my letter into the maw of the postal heathens. So it is written, so shall it be done.

Prithee, Master John, what is this "letter" thing of which you speak? If it bee, as I think, a Thinge that doth require the use of writing, I finde that I cannot now use fully my digits as of old, and can now talk only with my thumbs, save the use of speech, for those near enough to mee.

Alas, the small, glowing tablet affixed to mine belt hath overcome me quite.


Addendum/disclaimer/whatever: Despite the above nonsense, I find mine very handy. Don't use it much for talking- even though I recently got rid of my landline - but for snapping pics, calculator, calendar, reminders and such it packs a lot of useful functions into a small package. Like some here, I don't do Facebook or Twitter and since I'm retired and home most of the time, I rely on my computer for e-mail rather than my phone.


But I respect those, like the OP, who can de-clutter their lives by reducing their dependence on such devices. More power to you, sir!

 

[ladder13]

My cell phone has made life so much easier, I use it daily. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[soFlaNative]

For now glad I'm still on the grid.
Just upgraded six generations on my phone and have a pretty steep learning curve. I don't stream, except for weather radar and I don't play games but I do like the night mode IR camera.

 

[oldbrownhat]

For now glad I'm still on the grid.
Just upgraded six generations on my phone and have a pretty steep learning curve. I don't stream, except for weather radar and I don't play games but I do like the night mode IR camera.

Now you can tell at a glance how hot your coffee is, even in the dark

Seriously, though- what phone and what app is that?

One app I find useful on my iPhone is called SPLnFFT (iOS only, unfortunately) which is rated as one of the best sound level meter apps. Found it handy when building a sound-reducing box for my old Onan diesel generator.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

As Shakespeare wrote, "Ay, there's the rub."

The day that happens to me, is the day the phone dies.

 

[oldbrownhat]

The day that happens to me, is the day the phone dies.

LOL. The problem is, if you are ITS device, it will be making the decisions, not you