In my very first post in this blog I described myself as a Luddite. By today's standards I certainly am. It's not that I'm against the advance of technology, mind you. After all, I am writing to a blog on a decent laptop computer. I do use tools I need to do things I want to do. But when it comes to things like cellphones, I am very reluctant to get a "smart" phone.
Here's why: while they are incredibly useful things, I think that people don't talk to each other enough. It's a text-based world anymore, and smart phones facilitate that by being huge, clunky machines that aren't particularly good at being a phone but are great at being pocket computers, complete with easy to use keyboards. But texting isn't talking, it's expressionless communication with a total lack of nuance. You can't divine intent on a keyboard. Further, when you don't want to communicate anymore you just stop sending messages. When you talk you have to actually interact, and that teaches people how to engage and disengage from other people. Also, text speak is stupid and insulting to me, and it bleeds over into real world communication far too often. I am bearing witness to the dumbing down of America. I don't know that I want to be a part of that.
I live my life this way. I have used a "dumb" phone from the beginning. Most people send more texts in a day than I have in my entire life. But now my phone has died. After around 4 years with this particular phone it has failed and needs to be replaced. Now seems to be a good time to decide if I want to stick to my principles or accept the utility of a smart phone and learn to adapt to modern life. I find myself leaning that way, but my principles continue to get in the way.
Oh, hell. I'll just get one of the damned things and use it my way. But when I don't use it to text I'll be wasting one of the main capabilities, so what's the point? Damn it, I'm getting a dumb phone. But then when I want to look something up I'll have to borrow someone else's phone. Fine, smart phone, here I come! But I just need a simple communication device... see what I mean? That's what is going through my head over and over again.
What a pain in the ass this decision is going to be. And I need to make it quickly. What shall I do? When it comes to phones I am an analog man in a digital world. It's long since time to join the 21st century. Will I do it? Only time will tell.
