Author Topic: Pre cell phone days (Read 418 times)

glocke · « **on:** April 25, 2006, 07:08:09 AM »

Went out for a nice long hike sunday morning and did some thinking about stuff.....

Does anyone miss the days before cell phones and email, when everyone didn't expect to be able to get in touch with you 24/7 ?

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2006, 07:21:19 AM »

Not sure I follow - I do carry a cell phone around, just in case I need to make a call, but it is only switched on when I want to make a call myself. Other than that, it is switched off.

bob · « **Reply #2 on:** April 25, 2006, 07:22:08 AM »

Not me - never had a cell phone :-) I also refuse to use instant messaging, despite some pressure from work to do so.

Sounds like the hike was a good idea. Next time leave the phone at home.

olieoliver · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2006, 07:40:20 AM »

Most phones also now have GPS, so not only can they call you, they can tell where you're at too. Big Brother is watching you. What's next. a bar code on the hand or a micro-chip under the skin. HMMMMM seems I've read this before...

lowlife · « **Reply #4 on:** April 25, 2006, 07:59:09 AM »

When I purchased my new puppy last year, he came equiped with a micro-chip embedded under his skin. When the appropriate scanner is placed in proximity to his chip. the scanner beeps, and displays the unique ID number retreived from the chip. Then with the appropriate Internet software, the ID number is entered and returns my ID and the Vet's ID. So in the event of the dog being lost, the local SPCA (for a fee) will return the dog to the owner.

I've heard that they also have cell phones for dog's. The cell phone is attached to the dogs collar and pressing any button will execute the same action; calling a pre-programmed number, usually the owner's. Also, since the GPS is active, someone, somewhere could track the dog's movement.

Ellery (Lowlife)

olieoliver · « **Reply #5 on:** April 25, 2006, 08:30:43 AM »

Some call this convenience and security, I call it unnatural and intrusive.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35766
This was also predicted.

glocke · « **Reply #6 on:** April 25, 2006, 09:13:50 AM »

I guess what I am saying is that for the majority of the people I know, since I have a cell phone, they expect me to be available, or at least to answer it all the time....I am thinking more and more that being wired (via interent/cell phone), in todays age is just a big instrusive pain....

Interesting article olie. I remember when I was living in Missoual MT back in the 90's there was some ex green beret type running for some office or other, (Bo Gritz i think was the name). He was always talking about chips being implanted in people in the future...most people thought he was a nut.

keavin · « **Reply #7 on:** April 25, 2006, 09:18:19 AM »

that WAS predicted and it's also considered the mark of the BEAST!

jalevinemd · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2006, 09:36:46 AM »

We had a microchip implanted in our Great Dane as a pup. I was there when they did it...right under the scruff of his neck. He didn't seem to mind a bit.

olieoliver · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2006, 09:49:58 AM »

Thats what I was implying Keavin. It's says that you won't be able to buy or sell without taking the MARK. I'll stop there before I start to preach.......How 'bout them Cowboys!

keith_h · « **Reply #10 on:** April 25, 2006, 11:09:13 AM »

We got one of those pay as you go phones but only for travel. It beats walking down the interstate trying to find a phone to call AAA. It's number has only been given to immediate family members. Heck I still use hardwired phones. They are more secure and have better legal protections.

As far as work goes I've always told them to call my home phone and I will return their call whenever I can. If I am on vacation I'm not available. No cell phone. No computer. No contact.
I have no problem disconnecting from all of the intrusive junk we have created (phones, IM,email, you name it). As a matter of fact you might call me a Luddite when it comes all this being wired junk (and I've written and architected some of it for my company). I also blame it for the general loss of civility in this country.

Keith

lbpesq · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2006, 12:13:34 PM »

My cell phone is turned off unless I'm calling out, or I'm expecting a call. (It's great for hooking up when you pick someone up at the airport, and things like that). My number is only given out to family and friends, clients get it only in emergencies. The Off button is my favorite feature. Also,

- no camera, (if I want to take pictures, I use my camera, not my phone)

- no text messages (what's up with this? Unless you are in high school and you want to talk during class without getting caught by the teacher, what is this for? I'll bet I can say what I want to communicate much faster than anyone can type it onto a telephone keyboard),

- no games,

- nuthin' but phone.

I'd even get a monochrome display if I could find one as these should use less battery life than a color screen. I also stay away from the FASTRACK system they use around here for bridge tolls as I prefer not to let big brother keep track of my movements. On this issue, I'm right there with Olie.

Bill, tgo

tbrannon · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2006, 12:47:31 PM »

I could never understand the text messaging when I was living in the U.S. and paying such low fees for airtime.

I had a huge shock when I arrived in NZ. Mobile phones are VERY expensive here and talk time is not cheap. It only costs $0.10 to send a text here, but talking costs $2.99/minute. I text my wife sporadically throughout the day to see how things are going-

zuperdog · « **Reply #13 on:** April 25, 2006, 05:05:32 PM »

Bill-

I bought a Motorola V60: monocromatic screen, no extras (it only has two rings to choose from). It works better than my wife's new fancy phone (reception almost everywhere), the battery lasts for several weeks of frequent use (I'm out and about and use it for work), and replacement parts are really cheap. You can buy almost any NOS phone, and have your cell company put their chip in it. I was really happy to get rid of the color screen and games.

chuckc · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2006, 05:23:05 PM »

Keith:

You certainly hit on one of my hot buttons in terms of the loss of civility. People act like the world is their phone booth and we should sit by idly and listen to the inane chatter regardless of whether it's intrusive or not. Makes you just want to take that phone and beat them over the head with it. Here in Houston my favorite is watching women drive these huge SUVs in the morning either going to work or dropping the kids off at school and the phone is plastered to their ear. What in the world could be so important that you need to be on the phone gabbing about anything and paying about as much attention to their driving skills as a 3 year old attending a Broadway play, short of a major emergency, at 7:00 AM?