I got my first phone as a teenager. A Nokia brick that probably would still work.
I was to use it only to call my dad to pick me up after school.
At that point few of my friends had phones, and texting was extremely challenging to perform (T9, look it up).
I’ve had inclinations for a while to return to a simpler phone system.
Essentially everything I do on my phone can be done on a computer. And everything I do on my computer can be done on my phone.
Which means one of the devices may be redundant.
Phones are, however, the primary source of digital images these days, and the cameras are far superior (and more easily portable) than a computer’s.
However, a device that is only a camera can solve this issue.
My desires to return to a simpler phone system are ongoing. Flip phones (i.e. not smartphones) are still available from all carriers, and have some obvious benefits:
- No internet connection
- No ability to get distracted while needing to be focused on something else
- The phone is only a phone, it’s terrible at literally everything else
- No random scrolling for no reason
- No giant personal digital security issue if you lose it (physical access is total access)
There are also obvious drawbacks:
- The knowledge of the world isn’t available at your finger tips
- Harder to get directions to places
- The world is becoming more digitally intertwined and smartphones are the key
I’ve thought through this problem before, looked at my phone use and concluded then a few things on my phone I couldn’t give up:
- Tools for leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ
- Gospel Library
- Maps
- MS Teams for work things
- Enhanced data services for texting
- Picture taking and sending
Essentially everything else I felt like I could find a way to do without.
And truthfully the Church-related stuff can be done on a computer more easily. Maps can be handled by planning ahead better. Teams is a better computer app. The texting thing would be hard–im heavily reliant on that. And texting in the browser.
And I’ve recently become a bigger proponent of picture taking. So that causes an issue.
But how much phone does a person need? How much is too much? And does the danger of certain things increase over time?
If I have felt consistently that I ought to change my phone setup, should I consider that as revelation and be obedient despite the challenges it will pose?
If I’ve recently had my mind laid open to potential paths that may occur if I don’t, should I be additionally leery?