NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm so, so, so very tired of cell phones. They digust me.
The frivolity of it all is just so completely...aggravating.

No sms, no IMs, no games, no internet connection, no options for downloads, no planner, no radio, no ITunes, no video camera, no texting... just a god damn phone that's supposed to do what phones do: call people.

Is that so much to ask? Why the hell do you people need all this crap?

And thus, because of the way this dystopian market society works, I'm forced to conform and "just deal" and get some phone with 30 different "features" I don't need.

Well, it sucks. And I feel like bitching about it. And hopefully receiving a degree of commiseration from the few remaining rational people who realize they don't need such useless things and don't feel the 21st century compulsion of connecting to everything and everyone in an even more artificial way than that which already exists.

I hate cell phones too! I hate how they're hardly phones anymore. And I hate it when people gab on and on right next to me and when they're driving while talking on their cell phones as well. It just irritates me.

Take that cell phones! :upyours:

I'm so, so, so very tired of cell phones. They digust me.
The frivolity of it all is just so completely...aggravating.

No sms, no IMs, no games, no internet connection, no options for downloads, no planner, no radio, no ITunes, no video camera, no texting... just a god damn phone that's supposed to do what phones do: call people.

Is that so much to ask? Why the hell do you people need all this crap?

And thus, because of the way this dystopian market society works, I'm forced to conform and "just deal" and get some phone with 30 different "features" I don't need.

Well, it sucks. And I feel like bitching about it. And hopefully receiving a degree of commiseration from the few remaining rational people who realize they don't need such useless things and don't feel the 21st century compulsion of connecting to everything and everyone in an even more artificial way than that which already exists.

Amen, Brother Saipea!

Why are you complaining, the cheapest phones are the ones with the least other functions. What you want in a phone is what makes them cheap, be happy that more people don't think like you.

Another thing I hate is when I'm in school and people are constantly on their phones, text messaging. It's like they can't live without their cell phones.

I'd have to agree...I only want the phone. My laptop can do all of the same things as a cell phone but with about 1,000 more additional features, a lot more processing power, and much better Internet access. Plus, it doesn't cost me per month to use (except electricity, but it's got a battery) and there's no limit to how much I can use it.

Really, it's no less convenient to bring my laptop with me than it is to bring my phone. Just put it in my laptop bag with my other stuff and it's good to go. It's not heavy or anything, which is a plus as well.

Why are you complaining, the cheapest phones are the ones with the least other functions. What you want in a phone is what makes them cheap, be happy that more people don't think like you.

But that's the thing, I can't find a phone with what I (don't) want! The whole system is so completely messed up that I'm forced to get something with at least 2 types of messaging options other than how a phone is actually supposed to mention.

I'm willing to pay twice as much as the most pimped out phone costs, just so I can get a simple phone without anything on it! But I don't even have that option! It's so completely inconcievable.

I have a phone that the only 'special' feature that comes with it is text messages. I find those usefull for when I don't need to make a full call to convey some small bit of information to someone. I get by just fine.

I do find those other features ridiculous though.

I'm not a big fan of cell phones, either, but hey it's nothing to bitch about, honestly. That's today's society. It's a lot of people's culture now. People get bored easily, so - if no one's on to talk to - we listen to music on our cell, or we play a little game or something. And soon enough, we'll all be implanted with chips so we can listen to music or chat with our pals without even reaching for our cell phones. ^_^ *Can't wait for that day....*

So anyway, I'm totally cereal, guys. If you have such a huge problem with cell[-phone]s, just move to where like no one ever has one, like Africa or somewhere. But in those parts, there, they don't even have TV or good water. So I'm thinking you should just deal with it, get used to it, let it be.

*Doesn't even want her own cell phone...* <-- Even though my parents make me keep it "just in case." :mad:

What are you saying?

*turns down volume on slvr l7*

I love my phone!

VIVA LA SLUT PHONE!

Another thing I hate is when I'm in school and people are constantly on their phones, text messaging. It's like they can't live without their cell phones.

I really don't see how other people using their phones can bother anyone. I can understand, of course, how annoying it is when a group of people all insist on playing their ringtones at once, but other than that phones don't bother me at all. And I imagine people using their phones during school would have them on silent or vibrate.

I have a cell phone. But I rarely use it. There's no text messaging, no picture taking, no songs, just a simple phone :D

I only use it for emergencies.

I don't want to hear their conversations. I don't care what they're doing tonight or where they're going or who they're talking to.

Another thing I hate is when I'm in school and people are constantly on their phones, text messaging. It's like they can't live without their cell phones.
Do people really think that's annoying? I do it alot..

You hate me :(

i really like having a cell phone.

when i had to replace my last one it did take some time to weed through the needless crap to find a phone that had only what i wanted--calling and text messaging. it does have some kind of browser on it and AIM capability but it was as basic as i could find. we got them for free (or for free plus shipping)

i like knowing it can call whoever i need to no matter where i am but i despise getting calls on it. i make them as short as possible and i get very grumpy if the caller doesnt get right to the point and hang up.

I don't hate you. If you did it around me, then I'd hate you :)

Another thing I hate is when I'm in school and people are constantly on their phones, text messaging. It's like they can't live without their cell phones.

*Doesn't mind those people.* GET USED TO IT!!! CEREALLY! :headbang:

Why don't you make the most out if those people - sneak behind them and see what they're text messaging about! What, are you trying to talk to them and they're just choosing their cell phone fun over boring ol you? If that's not the case and they're just minding their own business, then HONESTLY mind your own darn business, too! *Cheers for technology!* :D

I'm not a big fan of cell phones, either, but hey it's nothing to bitch about, honestly. That's today's society. It's a lot of people's culture now. People get bored easily, so - if no one's on to talk to - we listen to music on our cell, or we play a little game or something. And soon enough, we'll all be implanted with chips so we can listen to music or chat with our pals without even reaching for our cell phones. ^_^ *Can't wait for that day....*

Exactly, we're living in a society where people are afraid of silence... and by extension, afraid of contemplation. When people are so wrapped up in digitized information - superfluous and useless digitized information - that they can't even connect with anyone (especially themselves) on an emotional and philosophical level, there's a serious problem with how the world is developing.

I really don't see how other people using their phones can bother anyone. I can understand, of course, how annoying it is when a group of people all insist on playing their ringtones at once, but other than that phones don't bother me at all. And I imagine people using their phones during school would have them on silent or vibrate.
Of course it's on silent.

But that's the thing, I can't find a phone with what I (don't) want! The whole system is so completely messed up that I'm forced to get something with at least 2 types of messaging options other than how a phone is actually supposed to mention.

I'm willing to pay twice as much as the most pimped out phone costs, just so I can get a simple phone without anything on it! But I don't even have that option! It's so completely inconcievable.
Nokia has a line of phones that are very basic, just calls, a phonebook and text messages I believe. They're designed for older, less technologically savvy people, my gran has one, but they sound like just what you want. Almost. I can't think of what the line is called though.

I don't hate you. If you did it around me, then I'd hate you :)
Yep, you hate me :(

... I can understand, of course, how annoying it is when a group of people all insist on playing their ringtones at once, ...

I likes those times... Just go along with them, it's not annoying, it's fun and silly. =) You crazy hater.

I don't hate you, just don't gab on your cell phone constantly around me. I don't have a problem with people using cell phones, just when they're always on them and when they're driving and using them. I was almost hit on many occasions by people like that.

Nokia has a line of phones that are very basic, just calls, a phonebook and text messages I believe. They're designed for older, less technologically savvy people, my gran has one, but they sound like just what you want. Almost. I can't think of what the line is called though.

Does your grandmother need to text message? Do I need to text message when I have a laptop at home?

Exactly, we're living in a society where people are afraid of silence... and by extension, afraid of contemplation. When people are so wrapped up in digitized information - superfluous and useless digitized information - that they can't even connect with anyone (especially themselves) on an emotional and philosophical level, there's a serious problem with how the world is developing.

You say that like it's a bad thing. o_0

I'm so, so, so very tired of cell phones. They digust me.
The frivolity of it all is just so completely...aggravating.

No sms, no IMs, no games, no internet connection, no options for downloads, no planner, no radio, no ITunes, no video camera, no texting... just a god damn phone that's supposed to do what phones do: call people.

Is that so much to ask? Why the hell do you people need all this crap?

And thus, because of the way this dystopian market society works, I'm forced to conform and "just deal" and get some phone with 30 different "features" I don't need.

Well, it sucks. And I feel like bitching about it. And hopefully receiving a degree of commiseration from the few remaining rational people who realize they don't need such useless things and don't feel the 21st century compulsion of connecting to everything and everyone in an even more artificial way than that which already exists.I had one of those hones--internet, camera, etc. I used the camera occasionally, took a couple of cool pics with it, but recently, I decided to downgrade my service and got a new phone without most of the bells and whistles. I can still access the internet if I want, but it's prohibitively expensive, since I'm not on that plan anymore, and frankly, I don't miss it one bit. I like just having a phone again.

Another thing that pisses me off: people on their cell phones in the movie theater :mad:

... I don't have a problem with people using cell phones, just when they're always on them and when they're driving and using them. I was almost hit on many occasions by people like that.

I know - THAT'S a problem with cell phones, when people are driving with them, chatting with their friends. Definitely NOT a good idea. =\

I likes those times... Just go along with them, it's not annoying, it's fun and silly. =) You crazy hater.
One ringtone isn't bad. But lots going all at once is so annoying. Not because of the ringtones, but because all of them at once is just incomprehensible noise. Then again I am guilty of playing my ringtone at some inappropriate times, but ti's so worth it.(my ringtone is Tommy Tiernan shouting 'DID YA EVER RAPE SOMEONE?')

But that's the thing, I can't find a phone with what I (don't) want! The whole system is so completely messed up that I'm forced to get something with at least 2 types of messaging options other than how a phone is actually supposed to mention.

I'm willing to pay twice as much as the most pimped out phone costs, just so I can get a simple phone without anything on it! But I don't even have that option! It's so completely inconcievable.


Go for the cheapest phone with the cheapest plan you can find.
Then ignore all the bells and whistles.


I use my phone to make the odd call when I am travelling. It is off 99% of the time.

The calls I make are the 30 second, "I'm leaving now -- see you in five hours," or "There's a massive jam on the turnpike -- can you google me a route around it?" nature.

Because it never rings, my students assume I don't have one. The possibility of it being OFF boggles their minds.

If they have to talk on their phone while they're driving, then pull over and talk. By continuing to drive they endanger themselves and everyone lese.

And I imagine people using their phones during school would have them on silent or vibrate.

You'd be shocked, then, at the number of times I have to tell my students about vibrate mode.

One ringtone isn't bad. But lots going all at once is so annoying. Not because of the ringtones, but because all of them at once is just incomprehensible noise. Then again I am guilty of playing my ringtone at some inappropriate times, but ti's so worth it.(my ringtone is Tommy Tiernan shouting 'DID YA EVER RAPE SOMEONE?')

LOL awesome. I guess I can understand you then.

Does your grandmother need to text message? Do I need to text message when I have a laptop at home?
No. I don't believe she ever does. We didn't buy the phone because of it's limited functionality, we bough it because it's very simple to use, has large writing, shows things like battery and reception level in words and symbols. You can't bring your laptop with you everywhere, nor can it serve as a communication device everywhere. Phones have a far wider range at the moment.

You'd be shocked, then, at the number of times I have to tell my students about vibrate mode.
No kidding. I had one student this past term who was horrible about it--she never answered her phone, but it went off in class at least once every couple of weeks.

You'd be shocked, then, at the number of times I have to tell my students about vibrate mode.
Well it has happened a few times that people's phones have gone off in class. A few of my teacher's phones have gopne off as well. But not that often.

You'd be shocked, then, at the number of times I have to tell my students about vibrate mode.

Yep, same thing happens at my school, the teachers gotta constantly remind us kids about our cell phones, they're always telling us to turn them off and stuff. It's funny how one of the teachers is SOOO angry because of the kids' cell phones, he has this smashed-up cell phone nailed on this wooden flat block by his door, with this little message on it telling his psychology students something about keeping their cell phones off (and that's what'll happen to their phones if they don't turn them off, or something like that). And he always yells at kids who even dare to bring their cell phones in his class...

But at the same time there are a couple of teachers (both female, if that makes a difference) who answer their cell phones WHENEVER they ring during classtime. That bugs me, but whatever, I'm getting used to it, and they always apologize. =\

Does your grandmother need to text message? Do I need to text message when I have a laptop at home?
You won't get a mobile that doesn't text, not these days. Your best bet is a Nokia 3310, or one of the old Mitsubishi Triums. They go for about £30 in the UK.

I have a cell phone. But I rarely use it. There's no text messaging, no picture taking, no songs, just a simple phone :D

I only use it for emergencies.

You have a phone that doesn't text? How old is it?

It probably could text message, I don't know. Seeing how I rarely use it

I know, I rarely use my cell phone, too. *Wants to sell it.* I guess it's got text-messaging options, but it really stinks and I personally just don't see the point of using cell phones so often anyway. It's a real waste of money (and time, if you're not cleverly multitasking), if you ask me.

But also, I wanna say that, you know, text-messaging on cell phones is optional! You only pay some cents per message, or at least that's how my cell phone works. And if you're planning on using that feature, the texting one, you can pay a certain amount of cash per month. But it's not mandatory, I'm sure. Same goes with those other options like ringtone & game downloads and stuff, I'd think.

There might even be a way to hide the features you don't wanna use from the menu on your cell, or probably rearrange the menu items so that those crazy features are listed at the bottom or something. I don't know. That'd be nice if my cell phone could do that - I'm not even sure if any cell does that, but it seems likely.

It's not as though you have to use those features. Just get the cheapest phone on the cheapest plan you can find. You don't have to use them, and you don't have to pay for them. All those features are considered Extras on most phone plans I've seen. If you specifically tell them you don't want to use (and, therefore, pay) the features, they'll find a plan without them for you. Just because it's there doesn't mean you have to use it. Or are you afraid you'll get hooked and become another sheep?

Personally, I have a cell phone that has download and text capabilities, but I don't pay for them and therefore don't use them. I have basic service (300 local minutes a month between mom and myself, and unlimited local evenings/weekends, plus unlimited calling between our phones any time), call display, and a cheap voicemail option because I'm not always in reach of my phone. Baa, baby. :p

It's not as though you have to use those features. Just get the cheapest phone on the cheapest plan you can find. You don't have to use them, and you don't have to pay for them. All those features are considered Extras on most phone plans I've seen. If you specifically tell them you don't want to use (and, therefore, pay) the features, they'll find a plan without them for you. Just because it's there doesn't mean you have to use it. Or are you afraid you'll get hooked and become another sheep? ...

Haha, exactly. :cool:

No sms, no IMs, no games, no internet connection, no options for downloads, no planner, no radio, no ITunes, no video camera, no texting... just a god damn phone that's supposed to do what phones do: call people.

Is that so much to ask? Why the hell do you people need all this crap?

Yea! Someone else who feels a phone should be used for making or receiving...well...phone calls. If I want to surf the net, I want a big screen, not a 1"x1" screen. If I want to take pictures; well, I think a good quality camera would do the job.

Yea! Someone else who feels a phone should be used for making or receiving...well...phone calls. If I want to surf the net, I want a big screen, not a 1"x1" screen. If I want to take pictures; well, I think a good quality camera would do the job.

Well, um, you know, there are cell phones that have pretty damn good quality camera features on them - like zoom in & out, focusing, and tons of pixels (not 1"x1"), and all that jazz... *Knows almost zip about cameras.* Cell phones are small/compact and their snapshot/video cam features can come in handy if you wouldn't wanna take up space/time with another camera, digital or not. Plus it can be fun recording useless video clips with cell phones... And people these days love fun...

I mean, cell phones aren't all that bad. I just don't want one personally. =P

If you specifically tell them you don't want to use (and, therefore, pay) the features, they'll find a plan without them for you. Just because it's there doesn't mean you have to use it. Or are you afraid you'll get hooked and become another sheep?

It's simply that I take offense (on a philosophical level) to the fact that those features are preinstalled. I don't like having extraneous and unnecessary things (beyond that reason in and of itself) on my phone because they only serve as a reminder of the desensitized and commercialized a society I live in.

Well, um, you know, there are cell phones that have pretty damn good quality camera features on them - like zoom in & out, focusing, and tons of pixels (not 1"x1"), and all that jazz... *Knows almost zip about cameras.* Cell phones are small/compact and their snapshot/video cam features can come in handy if you wouldn't wanna take up space/time with another camera, digital or not. Plus it can be fun recording useless video clips with cell phones... And people these days love fun...

I mean, cell phones aren't all that bad. I just don't want one personally. =P
Some phone cameras hold their own as digital cameras in their own right. When you consider that you can get a phone, camera and mp3 player in one, that's pretty neat.

It's simply that I take offense (on a philosophical level) to the fact that those features are preinstalled. I don't like having extraneous and unnecessary things (beyond that reason in and of itself) on my phone because they only serve as a reminder of the desensitized and commercialized a society I live in.

Fine, i hate people who dont let go of their cellphones (except when work related), and always want the last version with the camera, the magic bean and the free cat, but why exacly are you mad at it? My cellphone is old as hell, and i dont even use it much, not even to make calls. Still, why complain because you can carry a thing that has more functions with you? I cant carry a laptop everywhere with me, PLUS, I DONT HAVE MONEY FOR ONE. If i can eventually take photos, listen to music, call people, whatever with something small i have in my pocket, even better. Dont get pissed at technology, get pissed at people that apparently cant live without taking a daily personal photo with bad quality, or showoff around their oh so cool new cellphone.

Some phone cameras hold their own as digital cameras in their own right. When you consider that you can get a phone, camera and mp3 player in one, that's pretty neat.

I know, really! ^_^

I don't have a cell phone and I think it would require someone putting a gun to my head before I get one. Face it: they are electronic leashes. There are times when I want to be incommunicado. Personally, I think they are destroying the human psyche. One would swear that if people didn't have their friend/girlfriend/boyfriend/significant other/mother/father/grandmother on the other end of a phone all the time to help them cope with life's problems, they would be completely nonfunctional rather than just dysfunctional. And no, you don't have to get someone to pick up something at the store for you just because it's easier for them. You're the one that wants something! Get it yourself!

I don't even like regular phones. My personal choice for communication: e-mail

1. It doesn't require interrupting anyone based on the assumption that your problem is more important than anything else they have going on right now.

2. You have the opportunity to carefully consider what you are going to say before you send it. Too many people talk before thinking.

3. You have a record of what was said and confirmation of transmission. Nothing more irritating than having someone say "Well I didn't say that" when you know damn well they did and they are trying to weasel out of it. With e-mail, you have it verbatim.

Ok, that's my rant for the day. Carry on.

2. You have the opportunity to carefully consider what you are going to say before you send it. Too many people talk before thinking.

Sometimes is better to talk than to email. Also, you can use SMS instead of email if you dont have the chance. (of course email is generally better than sms, but assuming you cant email, sms might be the best option)
Not to mention that you're saying your rather emailing people than directly talking to them? I mean, im sure thats not what you exacly meant, but the way you said it makes me think you avoid talking directly to people all the time and just email them when you need something :)

Sometimes is better to talk than to email. Also, you can use SMS instead of email if you dont have the chance. (of course email is generally better than sms, but assuming you cant email, sms might be the best option)
Not to mention that you're saying your rather emailing people than directly talking to them? I mean, im sure thats not what you exacly meant, but the way you said it makes me think you avoid talking directly to people all the time and just email them when you need something :)

The way I see it, if you are going to talk to someone directly, it's best to do it face to face. Talking to someone on the phone creates this facade that makes it appear that you are actually paying attention to them when the conversation is merely one of several multitasking operations going on. Face to face is more honest, IMO.

The way I see it, if you are going to talk to someone directly, it's best to do it face to face. Talking to someone on the phone creates this facade that makes it appear that you are actually paying attention to them when the conversation is merely one of several multitasking operations going on. Face to face is more honest, IMO.

You do have a point, i've seen many times people talking on the phone and doing other tasks, yet, doesnt mean it happens all the time. The point is, you cant always talk to people face to face, and many times emailing is not available. The cellphone is something you can carry with you and contact people. If you dont like talking at the cellphone you can always use the sms as it is similar to emailing anyway.

i never got the whole point of texting when a phone is equiped with a speaker and microphone. i would of thought it would be alot easy just to say what it is you want to communicate rather then typing on a tiny dial pad

I don't even like regular phones. My personal choice for communication: e-mailSame here. I hate phones of all kinds. But, sometimes there is a need for one. Some people *gasp* actually don't have email, or don't read it. And, sometimes business requires that I pick the thing up (usually to call some customer who emailed...and then didn't bother to check her email to read my response!). Plus, it's safer to have at least one form of communication that works instantly: if I ever needed to call the police or fire department, for instance.

But, when it arises that I have to call someone, I like my cell phone. It's got "features" (texting, camera, etc.) but meh...I just don't use them. And as long as I don't use them, they're not costing me anything. So I really don't care whether they're there or not.

I don't even have a landline anymore. I think it's redundant to have a landline when I've got a cell phone. One phone is enough.

When the landline's wiring got so dry and cracked that the thing wouldn't work in the rain, it was a no-brainer to tell the phone company to just turn the thing off rather than fix it--and sign up for cell service instead. The reasons were mostly financial:

With the landline, it cost me something like $39.99/mo base rate--but with long distance and "local long distance" extra, me having to use an answering machine (or pay extra for voice mail), no caller ID, etc. So by the time all was added up (especially the "local" long-distance), it was coming out between 50-70 dollars/mo.

With the cell, it's $49.99/mo, but I get: Free long distance, no per-minute charge for night/weekend calls, free voice mail, free caller ID, free 3-way calling (which I've never used, but it's there...meh), no-fee roaming, address book included, and the phone itself was only something like $20 after rebate. The only way that'd jack up is if I talked over 500 minutes/mo during peak hours...something that's less likely to happen than snow at the Equator.

I think there'll come a time when a "landline" is something only used by the same people who keep using antique Underwood typewriters, or those in areas too backward/remote to have cell service.

That's today's society. It's a lot of people's culture now.

Perhaps this, as John Frum in Vanuata, holds true for your society and culture. More to the point: what is yours? "Conformity, always?"

People get bored easily, so - if no one's on to talk to - we listen to music on our cell, or we play a little game or something. And soon enough, we'll all be implanted with chips so we can listen to music or chat with our pals without even reaching for our cell phones. ^_^ *Can't wait for that day....*

Pretty soon, your species will be extinct.

So anyway, I'm totally cereal, guys.

I don't understand.

If you have such a huge problem with cell[-phone]s, just move to where like no one ever has one, like Africa or somewhere.

It should be regrettable, then, to discover that the continent is today's "hottest growth market" for cellular technology.

"Nearly 80 million Africans now have cell phones, more than twice the number that have land lines, according to the International Telecommunication Union." (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/gear/2005-08-28-cell-banks-africa_x.htm)

"Amina Harun, a 45-year-old farmer, used to traipse around for hours looking for a working pay phone on which to call the markets and find the best prices for her fruit. Then cell phones changed her life.

An industry that barely existed 10 years ago is now worth $25 billion, he says. Prepaid air minutes are the preferred means of usage and have created their own $2 billion-a-year industry of small-time vendors, the Celtel chief says. Air minutes have even become a form of currency, transactable from phone to phone by text message, he says." (http://fellows.rdvp.org/parasdagli/blog/cellphoneuseinafrica?PHPSESSID=f5287e889ff1ac408b2084668ea33633)

The implications are by some felt promising: Bridging the Digital Divide: Africa's Poor Connection (http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/1744.cfm) and Cell phones may help "save" Africa (http://news.mongabay.com/2005/0712-rhett_butler.html).

Honestly, sound advice nonetheless.

But in those parts, there, they don't even have TV or good water. So I'm thinking you should just deal with it, get used to it, let it be.

O brave new world, to have such people in it!

*Doesn't even want her own cell phone...* <-- Even though my parents make me keep it "just in case." :mad:

Respect your parents.

And people these days love fun...

…to a fault.