Cell Phones and Why I Won't Get One
Cell phones! I had one.
I tried it.
I ditched it.
No, I will not buy another one. And in fact, I would not take one if one were given to me for free. Here are a few reasons why:
- A cell phone is just another thing to keep track of.
- They are defective by design.
- They help track your location and activities.
- They do not run the operating system that I trust. This is true for both smart and non-smart phones.
- Owning and operating one is more expensive than not owning one.
- More precisely, you don't ever actually own a cell phone since you're not even legally allowed to do with it as you please.
- They're over-manufactured and promote mindless consumerism and large amounts of industrial waste. Do we really need new models of cell phones every six months? or don't they last for 20 years like POTs do?
- Like asbestos, myriad lead-based products, agent orange, DDT, hydrogen blimps, olestra, tanning beds, CFCs, hydrogenated oil, the comic sans font, and so many "progressive" technologies before them, the health impact of cell phones are as yet unknown.
- They are annoying.
- They ring at inappropriate times
- They inspire people to have long, loud, obnoxious conversations in public places
- They let people contact you, no matter where you are
- They inspire some people to talk and text whilst driving vehicles
- And finally...in case you hadn't noticed, there's a phone in nearly every building in this country.
So please, world, stop telling me to buy a cell phone.