Community Chat

[Enufstuff]

@silkyk   All part of the dumbing down of America.

Communication skills are being lost, with people, especially young people addicted to their phones. Spelling, reading, proper grammar, cursive writing, math skills and simple things like reading a clock, don't seem to have much importance anymore.

I hope that there are enough literate people in this population, that we don't become a third world nation.  It is sad, what I have been seeing, especially in the young.

I worked in the publics schools for 32 years and I have seen young teachers who do not even care about reading. Phones, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, social media, reality shows and trashy TV seem to be what holds the interest of many today.

  Very sad!

[SilleeMee]

It's getting to the point where smart phone ownership has become an essential part of daily life. Seems many forms of business transactions needs a smart phone.

I have never owned a smart phone (and it's not going to happen either) and I find it's getting more and more difficult to do business w/o one.

[monicakm]

@Tinkrbl44 

EMBRACING DIGITAL MINIMALISM?

NOT, NO, NEVER!  I don't even have to read the article.  It literally doesn't "compute"

[Lakelife62]

Most everything is done on our phones these days. Particularly if you are still working and have children and are not at home for most of the day on most days. It's a fact of life. It has nothing to do with dumbing down adults or kids. 

I know many people who have made resolutions to reduce screen time- whether it's watching shows, answering texts, checking email- they are making a conscious effort to stay off their phones.

Digital minimalism is a great thing for people who seek to turn off all the noise and info you get from your phone, which is just a handheld computer. The "dumb" phones, or whatever they are called are great for people who never use their phones or for those who want to ensure they are not tempted to scroll throughout the day.

Whatever works for each individual is what's best.

[wagirl]

Nope--sorry--but I would not be without my phone!! I enjoy technology and enjoy all the convience of it. I don't "live" on my phone, never have, but it does make my life easier. 

[monicakm]

Do you use a landline?

[RedTop]

@CelticCrafter 

My husband has carried a flip phone thru Verizon for at least 10 years; last update was 5 years ago, but he will only agree to carry a simple flip phone.  

[Enufstuff]

@SilleeMee   I know what you mean. So many places now, just expect and assume that any and all transactions need to be done on a cell phone.

I do have an inexpensive LG Tracfone and carry it when I leave the house, in case of emergency. I don't need to text anyone. I prefer to speak to them on my home phone or visit in person.

I refuse to spend over a thousand dollars for a cell phone plus the monthly service charge. I already spend over $300. a month for home phone, internet and cable. I refuse to spend extra for streaming services on cable too.

[monicakm]

I could watch tv but I don't (except for football).  I could make/take calls on a landline but it's not portable and the spam calls have been out of control for YEARS (recently canceled my landline phone, took it outside and gleefully smashed it to bits with a hammer   I can conduct business on my cell phone no matter where I am or what I'm doing.  I can make/take calls no matter where I am.  I can buy stuff and order groceries on my cell phone no matter where I am.  I am not limited to what content I want to view.  Not so with a tv.  I can reach my husband with our cell phones.  If he didn't have one, well, I can't even imagine not being able to reach him when I needed to.  There is peace of mind while driving.  With cell phones and Life 360, we always know where the other one is and the app will send a SOS if a crash is detected.  Life with a "smart home" would be impossible.  I couldn't check on my dogs when away.  I couldn't check on them at night when they are outside, without a smart phone.  Like with everything, there is good and bad.  I find my smart phone and smart devices beneficial/helpful and look forward to Google's next gen devices.  The air fryer I recently bought is "smart" but I've yet to have a scenario where I needed to use that feature.  I haven't even set up that feature.  I think I'll do that today.  Smart phone = smart home.  Can't have one without the other.  Oops, dogs are barking at something outside.  Smart phone shows me no one is on my property.  

[Still Raining]

Smart phones are very useful tools.  Helps ease your life.

If anything needs restricting it is TV screen time.  Now that is an addiction problem.  So much wasted time.  Read, have someone over for cards, take a walk.....