Dumping the Smartphone

[STG]

I have recently stopped using my smart phone for multiple reasons. I have seen improvements in my life to such a degree that I think its worth looking into getting rid of your cellphone.

Being connected to the digital world 24/7 is unnatural. Humans have never had access to such technology until very recently. How often does your phone make a noise causing you to pause what you were doing or thinking to check it? Was this disturbance really necessary?

Wherever you go you see smartphone addicted zombies walking around. People on their phones while eating, watching a movie, or doing anything. I've read that younger people don't go out anymore and prefer to hang out in the digital world.

This website is more familiar with what dating apps have done to society.

Your cellphone is another way for you to be tracked. Whether you think this is a big deal or not is not the point. The government will never have to put tracking devices on people as they voluntarily carry their smartphones with them everywhere.

Cellphones emit radiation. The technology isn't old enough to declare it safe. Many people sleep with their phones right next to their head.

Consider the case of Jimmy Gonzalez - a heavy cell phone user who ended up getting cancer in 3 places - the side of his head he used the cell phone, in the chest right where he kept the cellphone in his pocket, and in the hand he used the cellphone with. https://www.rfsafe.com/florida-attorney-dies-3-different-cell-phone-induced-cancers-brain-cancer-hand-and-chest/

Try an experiment. Go without a cellphone for 2 weeks and see what happens. Less stress and the ability to live in the present enjoying the here and now.

 

[fokm]

This is laudable if you can do it.

My job does require that I have a smartphone. If I could ditch the smartphone, I would.

So instead, I do things that make it so I am more in control of it. I disable notifications of most applications. I don't have Facebook on my phone.

I watched some mini documentary a couple of months ago about how the phones are designed to be addicting. One guy who works in the business of getting people addicted to their phones said he uses his smartphone in grayscale mode -- that way those red notification bubbles next to apps aren't as addicting.

 

[Captain Gh]

Getting rid of it completely would be nice... but let's get real... it's so ingrained @ this point that it ain't happening! Simply limit the usage... and also there's electromagnetic chaos eliminator that you can tag on it! Will reduce the radiation that you suffer from it!

 

[Celibate Warrior21]

This is the next addiction I need to work on.

Currently, I've been on No Fap for 60 something days and I'm starting to relive its many benefits. A man today gotta get rid of these addictions if he wants to progress and two of them are - constant fapping and smart phone addiction.

Go on No Fap and get back to living like It was the 90s again when Smart Phones didn't take over our lives.

 

[gza89]

agreed, I used an old blackberry without any addictive apps, (BB9790), I feel much clamer during the day, but its getting used

 

[No More Mr. Soy Boy]

Don't see the point. If you're worried about radiation then wrap it into foil or something which reduce EMF, use a wired headset and have it in a bag.
If you're procrastinating then delete the apps that are of no good like games, dating and social media.

But I wouldn't go without Google Maps and some payment apps that I use daily and which make it very comfortable.

 

[STG]

Tin foil will not stop the radiation. To stop the radiation would essentially render the phone unusable as the phone would not be able to pick up service. You should be leaving the phone in airplane mode while you sleep.

How did people get around before google maps? Most people today can't use a paper map. How many people could drive from one end of the country to the other with nothing but paper maps and a compass?

https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/can-cell-phones-cause-brain-cancer/

Back in 2006, Henry Lai, a professor emeritus at the University of Washington analyzed all available studies on cell phone radiation from 1990 to 2006. He found that 50% of the 326 studies showed a biological effect from radio-frequency radiation, but when he divided them into independently funded studies and those funded by the wireless industry he found the split was 70 – 30.

“Even if you accept all the industry studies, you still end up with 50-50,” Lai told Seattle Mag in 2011. “How could 50% all be garbage? People always start with the statement ‘hundreds of studies have been done on this topic, and no effect has been found’ — but this is a very misleading statement.”

Cellphones, blue tooth, all wireless technology is exposing people to radiation at levels far greater then even 20 years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if the never ending barrage of radiation is contributing to the drop in testosterone.

All this technology is too new to say "the science is settled". Even AM Radio is only about 100 years old.

I've been about a couple weeks with no cell phone. At first it feels weird as I've been carrying one for about 15 years. Now I feel more free.

When I do communicate with people the interaction is more real and I feel more connected. When I leave home I am independent and never interrupted. I get more done and feel more grounded in the present.

Being connected all the time probably has psychological effects. I think a big part of the problems of society are from too much internet, smart phones, tablets, and video games. This technology is making us weak, dumbing us down, and dulling our senses.

 

[Avant-Garde]

I keep my smartphone use to a minimum and turn it off for the most part. The tracking part is real as the phone will keep pinging towers even if you're not using it, just by being on. You can check out feature phones like the old Nokias and flip phones but if they're 2G or 3G these networks are getting phased out and these phones may not work anymore.

 

[joost]

I don't stare at my phone all day like many youngsters do. But like 5 billion people in this planet, I will continue to use my phone daily.

 

[Lee Harvey Pozzwald]

I inverted the colours on mine, and found that my usage dropped precipitously. Another thing I did was get rid of all apps (with the exception of my bank's app and Uber). I often forget about my phone because I use it so little. You will find that once you get your head out of your phone you're way more socially aware and observant, and correspondingly a lot of social anxiety disappears.

 

[Bird]

The tracking part is real as the phone will keep pinging towers even if you're not using it, just by being on.

And in days like these, tracking is increasingly used.

 

[BigFellow]

I recently listened to some Youtube podcasts of an interview with Arthur Firstenberg, who discusses the dangers of cell phone radiation. The interview is here, and has four parts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh0dphQZxJ0


Firstenberg heads an organization called the Cellular Phone Task Force, which is involved in lobbying, litigation, and education, and support for people harmed by cell phone radiation.

Dr. Mercola has also written articles on his website about the health hazards associated with cell phones. The government and big telecommunications companies want to cover up the dangers.

Of course that is only part of the problem; we know that phones can be addictive, and contribute to other problems like attention deficit disorder (which may be physiologically exacerbated by the radiation's effect on the brain), mental health problems, bad manners, car accidents, etc...

I am tempted to get rid of my cell phone altogether. At least I need to find ways to drastically limit cell phone and other wireless exposure.

Just yesterday I switched out my wireless mouse for a wired mouse on my computer, and I feel better already, and my computer is working better.

 

[redbeard]

Just yesterday I switched out my wireless mouse for a wired mouse on my computer, and I feel better already, and my computer is working better.

Off topic, but great job. I never understood the wireless mouse and keyboard. Why can't have you a cord? Is it because you're moving around all the time? Most of us sit at the same desk every single day. The cord goes nowhere.

On top of that, corded accessories just perform better. No downtime or latency issues like Bluetooth. No needing to charge the batteries either.

 

[Vladimir Poontang]

What's the matter with people? Can't you just put it away? What's wrong with you? What are you 5 years old?

 

[Hermetic Seal]

In my experience, a wireless mouse moves more naturally. On wired ones, the cord adds some tension/"push" when you're moving the mouse. Not a huge difference, but noticeable.

 

[redbeard]

In my experience, a wireless mouse moves more naturally. On wired ones, the cord adds some tension/"push" when you're moving the mouse. Not a huge difference, but noticeable.

Jack up the mouse sensitivity so you don't have to move the mouse that much.

 

[Easy_C]

Well, you also don't need to be quite as worried about those. Bluetooth radiation is significantly less powerful than cellphones almost by definition: you're comparing a device with a range of miles to one with a range of 6 feet or so.

 

[TheFinalEpic]

I am coming to the realization that nothing on my phone is of use besides the ability to call and text my family and friends.

Much of this is convenience, and humans are very good at giving up their civil liberties, freedoms, and security for the sake of convenience.

I am looking at doing a custom ROM on an older Android phone, and only carrying a phone around if absolutely necessary - keeping all functions beyond that of calling OFF.

What is the point of distracting yourself from what is going on around you, and what function does a smartphone serve beyond that of a computer?

 

[Deepdiver]

I just turn the volume/vibration to off most of the time and only check messages once per day... I just do not let my phone control my life... I am going to start using airplane mode at night as well.

However when I need an Uber or buy from Amazon or check account balances just carrying a smart phone in a belt holster with 1/8 airgap from your body seems to work well.

I started turning off my phone when random Indian recruiting sourcers started calling 10 times per day... So I updated my online resumes for remote contract or perm work only by the Indians sourcers ignore that so why I learned to ignore them and only reply to proper emails as the calls became too much. Turning my Android phone volume off solved most problems...

 

[Mayhem]

You: Dumping the Smartphone, aye?

Me: Bad impulse decision making and the close proximity of the send button with the thumb. Always produced disappointing results for me.

Wish I had taken meditation seriously at least once in my life!

I own two smartphones, one of them I couldn't let go. Other I bought to supplement my mobile gaming addiction. Online Shopping! Your favourite smartphone is only a finger tap away now!

But I digress. They are not the reason I sometimes feel the need for spectacles if I have to study, Seriously. That's because of the beautiful choices I have made throughout my life. Spare my innocent Tapperson! The other one is also harmless.

When I weigh One second versus Twenty-three hours and fifty nine minutes. Self control versus Pleasure. I'd rather put all my energy in suppressing my emotions in that one moment, that one vicious second!

I almost screwed up again a few moments earlier. Thus, this post.

I should eat on time! Hungry stomach never did me any favours. Or maybe I'm deliberately forgetting. I am forgetful like that when I'm hungry.

Where was I?

Anyway, that is why I can't dump my smartphones. Forgive me. I'm a weak emotional young man. It's okay, judge me. Yes, I'm guilty!

Thank you for creating this thread.
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Please, let me know if the above was readable. I prefer to think of it as lyrics to some sad song sans Sam Smith's singing.