The Cell Refuseniks, an Ever-Shrinking Club

[Lunican]

Anyone here get by without a cell phone?

The Cell Refuseniks, an Ever-Shrinking Club

Not so long ago, we all lived in a world in which we decided where to meet friends before leaving the house and we hiked to the nearest payphone if we got a flat tire. Then we got cellphones.

Well, not everyone. For a hardy few that choose to ignore cellphones, life is a pocketful of quarters, missed connections and a smug satisfaction of marching to a different ring tone.

Full article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/technology/23cell.html

[Lunican]

I'll take that as a no.

Does anyone even know someone without a cell phone?

[Jimmy]

I know a few people - in their 20s and 30s - san cell phone.  It's crazy.

[danno]

My wife didn't up till a few weeks ago.  I robably wouldn't if my company didn't provide one.

[Timkin]

I'll take that as a no.

Does anyone even know someone without a cell phone?

My partner.. but he is always using mine LOL

[thekillingwax]

I don't use one. There's an emergency prepaid one I keep in the car, I think since I bought it 2 years ago, I've used 2.5 minutes of airtime- I don't even think it's been turned on this year, so I probably need to charge it again. It's not some statement, I just don't want people to think that I'm available 24/7. Everyone always says "Just don't answer it!" and then when you do that, people get pissed and think you're rude. It's a lot easier just to say "I don't have one.", then people just look at you like you're crazy but at least they aren't all butthurt about not being able to get ahold of me any time they want.  I don't know- I'm not that old but I think everything's too interconnected and available these days. I don't care for social media crap and if moble web was cheaper, I might actually consider getting a newer phone but there's no way in hell I'm paying ~$100/month for service.

[KenFSU]

I would never get rid of my cell phone, simply for the peace of mind of knowing that I can reach my wife and loved ones in an emergency, but sometimes I wonder if my life wouldn't be simpler and better if I wasn't tethered into the internet 24/7 via my smartphone.

[Timkin]

We indeed think we have to have them. 

[johnnyroadglide]

I didn't have one for a long time but recently purchased a droid phone and I love it. Got rid of the home phone. Don't even have one at work..and I don't give out my cell phone number. But I still have a VCR and, gasp, just a regular DVD player. 

[BridgeTroll]

I have one... but I frequently just turn it off... the statement above from killingwax applies to me to a certain extent...

It's not some statement, I just don't want people to think that I'm available 24/7.

I watch too many folks preoccupied with them... constantly checking, replying, reading, replying... even while trying to have a actual face to face conversation with them.  I just walk away... I figure when they want to resume the conversation they will re-approach.  Usually they just move on to the next text or call.  While out and socializing... I turn my phone off... Leave me a message... I will get back to you. 

[Shwaz]

I couldn't live without a smart phone / data plan... making plans on the fly / quick research / apps / camera / GPS are all fully integrated into my everyday life.

[KenFSU]

I watch too many folks preoccupied with them... constantly checking, replying, reading, replying... even while trying to have a actual face to face conversation with them.

You really notice this at sporting events, concerts, movies, etc. Would make for a fantastic photo essay to photograph these people with that detached, zombie-like look on their faces staring blankly at their screen amidst these vibrant, lively, bustling backdrops. Restaurants in particular have gotten really strange. You'll see a family of four at a place like Chilis, and they'll be sitting together, but each one will be blankly staring at their cell phone, unable or unwilling to break away from the quasi-reality of whatever is going on in cyberspace to actually engage and enjoy the company of their family. It really kind of creeps me out. Seems like the technology is feeding off the people more than the people are feeding off the technology.

[thekillingwax]

I think texting is absolutely hilarious. Spend $400 on a phone and people primarily use it for a function that's not much more hightech than a telegraph. I can understand sending a quick note to somebody but people have full conversations via text and I never realized talking was so hard.

Maybe one day I'll get a smartphone or something- like I said, I like the idea of mobile web access but the price and speeds are pretty crappy now. I haven't seen 4G yet so I don't know how fast it is compared to 3G in real life.

[Timkin]

I didn't have one for a long time but recently purchased a droid phone and I love it. Got rid of the home phone. Don't even have one at work..and I don't give out my cell phone number. But I still have a VCR and, gasp, just a regular DVD player. 

I still have an 8 track tape player ( I don't really use it)  hows that for old school ? 

[johnnyroadglide]

Got me beat there Timkin, except I still DO use my VCR.