This isn’t one of those hippy diatribes about the body corporate, or a quasi-scientific spiel about the plausible connection between tumors and constant reception (although I hear that’s a serious upcoming issue). Its just a simple explanation about one person’s decision not to own a cell phone, and why.
First off, the commitment. I don’t own anything else I have to sign away years of my life for. Two year contracts! You have to be kidding! And if you move somewhere that isn’t under their coverage they’ll drag out the process making you pay for months on end while they ‘verify’ your move. And you have to send them copies of your bills with your new address on them! Why not my birth certificate, or my dental records? I moved to China and Verizon took months to let me out of my contract! No wonder commitment is scary– you no longer want a service and yet you could be forced to keep it until your contract is up. Now that’s harsh!
Second, the lack of serenity. I don’t think I’m that important that I need to be reachable at all times. Also, being able to be in the moment is hard enough with all the ADD distractions, I don’t need to be texting someone or twittering how my lunch is going in order to enjoy it. Every once in a while I can watch a TV show or take a walk without being interrupted or snapping a picture of the moment and sending it to a friend with cute little smiley faces made out of parenthesis and colons.
Third, planning is lost. Without cell phones none of my friends seem to be able to make a plan and carry it through. They say, “ok, text me directions and call when you get there” and I try to explain that we’ll have to plan ahead and just trust that the other person will be there. I know it’s a lot to ask, but hey, our parent’s generation managed to meet their friends at the milkshake café or whatever without carrying a phone in their pocket.
Finally, and this may seem pedantic, but the ring tones are just a ridiculous way to accessorize and/or feel special. I don’t need to impress my friends with a shiny bejeweled talk box that has Morgan Freeman’s voice telling me who is calling and doubles as a camera, calculator, thermometer, organizer, computer, and voice recorder. I just don’t need more stuff distracting me from real life and interrupting me when I’m enjoying it.
I agree with you, although I don’t think people in America have better options than to just suck it up and sign the two-year contract. At least they make you feel that way.
I like the way it’s done in China (at least where I was at). You pay for your phone up front and then you have the option of either paying for minutes or paying monthly for unlimited calls. No contracts, you can terminate at any time.
Amen on the cell phone Lu! I just hate them. Still trying to get used to the blank stares I get when I say “I don’t have a cell phone” though. I also don’t have a microwave, but that’s another story. Miss you guys.
I love having just one phone number no matter where I am living or what I am doing. Turning the phone on? Now that is another story. No, it’s not on now, nor is it on during the day, nor the evening. My cell phone is great when I have to make a call, unless I’m low on minutes, then to hell with it. Someday when I am waiting for my brain transplant, I’ll turn on my phone so I’ll know when to report to the hospital. Until then, just leave a message.
I don’t have one either and don’t miss it. A cell phone isn’t really practical with the way I move around and Skype + Skype Out is a wonderful (and much cheaper) replacement.
Your right, the China option was totally awesome! Pay as you go, and it was very cheap. I also got some kind of deal for like 1 RMB a month, I could call internationally for the equivalent of less than 2 US cents per minute. I used to call my family with it all the time when we were in Shanghai because it was actually cheaper than Skype!
Cell phones are great……NOT! Thanks for finally throwing out the words i could not find. I hate being tied to the little black box that is on my hip. Generations before us survived without them…Why can’t we?
I just spent a weekend without a functioning cell phone. It went from being terrified at being unreachable to being relieved, but I don’t think I could go ‘cell-less’ long term.
Every post I see on here is spammed with comments! You guys should start using recaptcha or something…
Thanks, I’m going to look into getting it soon. We have just been so busy and lacking constant internet connection.