I bought my first cellphone in 2000. It had a red face plate and was powered by Verizon Wireless.
Ten years later, I’m still with the cellular provider — and on my fifth or sixth iteration, the latest being a BlackBerry Curve 8330. It’s more than a phone; I use it for its web browser and camera, and numerous applications. The BlackBerry is like a portable computer and I can’t fathom a day without it.
But people do. Though they may constitute the minority of your friends, I imagine you can think of one or two people without one. Lisa (not her real name) is one friend of mine without a cellphone and I emailed her for her reasons why. Here’s what she has to say:
Oh, cellphones. I know if I had one I would love it and squeeze it and call it George, and that’s kind of the problem. Weirdly enough, I actually love talking on the phone and spend at least an hour each day catching up with out of state friends. But I enjoy that because I found a happy compartmentalization for that phone time, and that’s at home. When I’m out by myself, I like to actually be alone. I like my uninterrupted walks home from work, knowing my friends don’t think I’m dodging their calls because I’d rather listen to the rest of a song on my iPod rather than chat — they just know if I don’t pick up, I’m not home.
I know that cellphones are eminently practical. Every few months I consider getting one “just for emergencies.” Maybe I will, one day. But I know I would have to guard against it becoming a leash. While I love my family and friends, the idea of getting phone calls or texts any time, anywhere feels amazingly intrusive. That’s not even considering my boss or my coworkers, who would inevitably get my cell number if I had one. Sure, I could leave my phone home when I don’t want to be bothered. But who does that? I’m also quite happy to avoid doing business with cell phone carriers. No bill, no contract, no head smashing.
Could you live a cellphone-free life (let alone one devoid of the BlackBerry or iPhone)? I’m unsure. I’m not flat-out saying no, but I use my berry a lot.
Focusing on Lisa’s final sentence of no bills, I’m drawn to something Trent Hamm wrote this month about how the internet impacts standards of living. He suggests living a cellphone-free life is one way to both respond to life changes and save money.
Five years ago, I was a cell phone addict. I never went anywhere without it. I was constantly calling and texting people. Over the last two years, I have essentially weaned myself from cell phone usage. Now, I rarely pick it up and, when my contract expires, I’m going to simply cancel the phone and get a pay-by-the-minute el cheapo phone. Why? I realized I didn’t actually need what it provided. What I wanted was connection to the important people in my life – and cell phones didn’t really provide that. The only actual need it fulfilled in my life was additional security while traveling and, on rare occasion, contacting a friend to make sure we were meeting up at the correct time and place. I can do that for a lot cheaper with a prepaid cell phone, so I’m going to make that switch in the very near future.
I hear what he’s saying but, again, I don’t know if I can do it. Can you? Have you?
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That’s actually a really good idea, but one that I doubt I could pull off. Maybe that’s something to think about in the future, but for right now, I really love my Palm Pre.
From Tim Stiffler-Dean to you: On Immovable Objects and Unstoppable Forces
I did it. I realized that we were spending over $50 per month for two phones on which we spent a total of 12-14 minutes. I cancelled them and bought 2 prepaid phones. They cost $20 each, and came with $25 in calls. That was over 2 months ago and we haven’t had to refill them yet. Of course, we don’t tell anyone our numbers. We just use them to call each other.
“Of course, we don’t tell anyone our numbers. We just use them to call each other.”
That sounds like cheating, lol.
After looking at my usage, though (I really put some thought into this last night) I found that I use too many resources to go the route you went. I use it for everything – radio, videos, email, Twitter, Facebook, as a camera, texting and of course, as a phone. I use about 500 minutes every month, so while I would love to do what you’ve done, it’s just not gonna happen.
From Tim Stiffler-Dean to you: On Immovable Objects and Unstoppable Forces
Wow. What a depressing thought for a Monday.
I’m kidding of course.
There was a time in my life when I saw folks with a Blackberry and I thought to myself, “What use is THAT! How can anyone be that busy or important to even need THAT!” At the time I just had a plain cell phone and I rarely used it to text.
Then along came Pearl. Blackberry Pearl that is, and we fell in love. And, I got it. We got them for work and man, they were handy…for work. But nothing else.
Then, I added my personal email account(s) to it. Figured out all the goodies and really apps that actually made me more efficient. Honest. Then it was handy, constantly. This was about the same time I started getting more into Twitter because, well, I could now. And Facebook. And….
I’ve got a droid now. Not provided by my employer. I had the option to go back to just another cell phone but I could NOT bring myself to do it. I don’t know that I could go without it. I really don’t and there is something sad about that. I panic when I forget and leave it at home when I make a 15 minute trip to the store.
So, could I do it? Don’t think so. Can’t even imagine it. It would be interesting to try it for a day. But, I’ve been sober for 2 years. I think I only need to give up one thing at a time.
Thanks for getting me thinking.
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What percentage of your smartphone time is spent ON THE PHONE vs using non-phone stuff?
Personally, I HATE phones – and cellphones are a special nuisance.
Unfortunately, the company I work for have cellphones as part of the entire package. They know we work evenings and nights, yet still instead of texting first people will call at any inconvenient hour with their ideas… Impolite, to say the least.
Ideally, I could easily have a cellphone that sat in the electric plug and was only used for safety calls if the car broke down. I do prefer the e-mail media. In that way I can decide when I am awake and ready to communicate. And then I can make a conscious decision to call someone, if needed.
But loving my cellphone? Never!
Thanks for a good and thought-provoking article.
From Henrik Blunck to you: 399 Spam Comments
Would your company employ you if you chose not to accept the phone?
I have done it in spurts but, on days like yesterday when power was out for many here in NJ, I was so glad to have one. It’s not the same as being in front of a computer but it’s great to be able to stay reasonably informed about what’s going on.
It is simply amazing that a little device can text, email, surf the web, listen to music, receive calls, etc. I was very glad to have one.
I have had a cell phone since about 1995 and have only used 2 providers (Verizon for 10yrs and Sprint for the last 5), I also have an 8330, and as a business owner it is very valuable for me to get my emails while on the go.
Could I live without it, probably, but I think it would cost me customers that may have an immediate need….
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I’d be much, much less productive
From Chris Reimer @ The Basement Entrepreneur to you: David Meerman Scott Talks The New Rules of Marketing and PR
Hi, my name’s Tom and I am not a cell phone addict
I could easily live without my mobile phone (I’m from across the pond, and that’s how we call them around here) because my phone does just that : allowing me to call people. It doesn’t take pictures, doesn’t play music, doesn’t allow for web surfing, has no worthwhile games on it, and is very basic (5 years old at least). I spend all my days in front of my PC so people who want to reach me can do so by email and landline, so yes I CAN.
From Tom@Your Practice Website to you: 15 ideas that will get links to your accountancy practice website
I could love without the phone, but not without the email, web access, apps, and everything else a smartphone brings. I actually don’t talk on my cell phone that much, my minutes are largely data.
Do mobile devices exist that lack cell features but have the rest?
I don’t own a cell phone and don’t want one. I had one about 12 years ago because my boss said I needed one, but he would not pay for the phone. Soon thereafter I became deathly ill for a year and lost my job. The cell phone company would not let me out of my contract, and it was a huge expense. Maybe one day my business will be such that I need a cell phone. But right now as an independent PR practitioner I do fine contacting media and clients when I am home. Only once in the past six years have I needed a cell phone to stay in contact with the media when I was working on a nationally famous court case for a client. I got a temporary cell phone for one day.
From Susan Asher to you: ‘Spring Awakening’ Rocks!
Well, I have lived without a phone for 2 days when my phone went for repair, I couldn’t stop myself from buying a cheap throwaway phone till I got my phone back from the shop. I can live without internet but cellphone are different
From Chris@Traffic Ultimatum to you: Traffic Ultimatum Module One
Who are we kidding here? I cannot imagine living without a cellphone. Sad, but true. That piece of gadget is ruling humans everywhere in the world now. I guess we have to change the basic human needs from food clothing and shelter to food, clothing, shelter and mobile phones
From Melvin@House Rent Auckland to you: Otahuhu, Auckland City
I don’t think I could live without mine… aside from the joy of being able to get onto my email, Facebook, and Twitter anytime I want and never being bored when traffic comes to a complete halt on the freeway, I like the security of knowing that so long as I can move my limbs and speak, I can get help in most places via talk or text.
At the same time, I have also felt like “Lisa” in the sense that you feel almost obligated to carry the thing around with you wherever you go, so you’re really never fully alone. Even when I leave mine in the car for some short period of time, I wonder how many calls I might have missed.
From Kristi@Blogging Tips to you: Social Media for Non-Profit Organizations
Wow, this is a pretty passionate topic, isn’t it? And it is with great passion that I respond to the question with a very big NO NEVER. My first mobile phone was a “car phone” that was installed in my Toyota in 1989 and it changed my life. As a working mother with with school aged children and crazy schedules juggling our days became easier than ever. Today all of this is a given. From the installed car phone my next device looked like a walkie-talkie and then I went on to several styles of flip phones to the razor , the blackberry and now the iPhone………wish I had taken photos along the way. So, yes, I am a professional and yes, I love the technology, I love the freedom of knowing I have everything I need to work, be social and be available if needed in my pocket. Is there a group of some kind I should belong to?
I think i can’t live without cellphone now. I need it to keep in touch with my beloved. However, if everyone in the world live without cellphone, i think people will still tend to use the internet to keep in touch. Well, i have tried to live without cellphone for a week before. It was a tough week for me without contacting with my beloved.:)
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I could definitely live without the phone aspect of my cellphone. I have Verizon, so I never talk on the phone before 9pm on weekdays, unless I’m talking to another Verizon user. Free nights and weekends and in-network calls. I don’t have a smart phone, so I can’t surf the web with my phone either.
However, I do spend many hours a day texting. I have unlimited text messages and I take full advantage of that. I really don’t know how I communicated before text messages. Phone conversations can be very long and drawn out. Texting forces people to be succint. Its the most efficient way to communicate.
When they introduce a texter without the cellphone, I’ll be the first one in line.
From Dr. Kal @ Fat Loss Tips to you: Dr. Mehmet Oz and America’s Weight Loss
I haven’t had a cell in 15+ years; thinkin’ about it though.
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My cellphone has not been changed the past 5 years. It is still an old Nokia. I hardly use it, and some girls laugh at me when they see me holding my antique phone. But I’m cool about it, I don’t need it as much as others, but still, until the day we can all communicate telepathically, I say use it.
Nope! My ex-husband got his first mobile phone in 94, and i got mine in 1996. I got an iPhone last year and would not go without it. But I suppose you have to look at your situation. In Australia, it is way cheaper to have a mobile phone than a landline. We have to have a phone line to have Internet and even though we do not even use the home phone, it costs minimum $30 just to have a line! I also think we probably have the best deal with mobile phones and most people I know including myself with my iPhone are on prepaid.
Also i am in a long distance relationship. I live in Australia and my boyfriend is in New York. Even I spent half of the year in New York, instant messaging and email that I check on my iPhone is the best way to go to keep in touch. In the beginning we used to text each other until he received a $500… I also have family and friends living in so many different countries so the mobile technology is definitely a plus in my life.
So I think it really depends on your circumstances and being wise if it is a cost matter.
From Prisqua to you: One Man’s Obsession, another Man’s Treasure?
Whoa, that is TRULY a long distance relationship. I could never do it. Kudos to you.
I’ve been cell phone free for five years. Mine was a bit of a security blanket: for “emergencies”, real or imagined. Also, living far from family, it felt like a social obligation/reciprocation thing. If I can reach anyone, anytime… shouldn’t I make myself equally available?
Then, I moved out to the bush (far north woods). No cell coverage, no electricity, no running water. Ironically, in a place where an “emergency” could truly escalate into a life-threatening situation, there was no cell service available. Also, it turns out that being able to reach ME 24/7 is truly only important to my husband, daughter and my mother. Everyone else is getting along just fine with weekly or even sporadic updates. Go figure. My husband and daughter are never far and poor mum, well, she’s accustomed to disappointment
Two years in the bush and I was cured of my cell phone interest. Three years back in the south and still no desire. I’m 35 and otherwise completely normal. Except that I’ve also been TV free for eight years. And I attended Star Trek conventions in my youth.
Hold on a minute. Without a cellphone, do you have another telephone? How frequent do you use THAT per month?
I can no longer go out without my phone with me. Aside from texting and talking, it is my reminder, calendar, email, address book, gameboy, browser and my friend. I never feel alone as long as I am holding my phone.
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