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Phones how did the world function before smartphones

lancashirelady50 · 70-79, F
When I retired from teaching 14 years ago I was given an iPhone. “What will I do with this?”
I thought!
I had never owned a mobile phone.
Needless to say- I am rarely off the damned thing! Lol
It is like being in the biggest library in the world!
Josie
Bartleby · 51-55, M
We made do but it’s so much easier coordinating things with smartphones.
chrisCA · M
@Bartleby Yes. I would not go back to those days.
Mountainlady16 · 22-25, F
My mom who grew up before even cell phones were common says she remembers ppl telling kids they wouldn't carry a calculator in their pocket lil did they know
Justice4All · 36-40, M
Before smartphones and internet, information was shared the same way it is now : by communicating it.
Actually, it was okay. In 1911 a call in audience show involving up to a million New Yorkers took place.
In 1993, live call in talk radio involving thousands and live call in TV involving millions took place in Chicago, every day.
The population is to say that you are better connected because fascists control what you say and you glory in the resulting ecocide and wars. Be honest.
chrisCA · M
With calendars, card files, cameras, and camcorders.
Roladex was how we saved our contacts
ravenhill · M
just fine without them, smartphones have made life more complicated and induce anxiety with those with nervous problems.
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
@ravenhill [quote]and induce anxiety with those with nervous problems.[/quote]
And enrich the lives of many of the rest.
PeachyK · 100+, F
We had peace and quiet. Our phones didn’t follow us everywhere we went. We were more present.
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
@PeachyK They aren't compulsory you know. You can leave them at home when you go out, you can turn off the network connection so that notifications don't get through, etc.
They are, or at least can be, under your control.
billstickers · 36-40, M
The world it that a new thing from Apple i must check it out.
And the internet, and air conditioning
Subalugirl · 22-25, F
🤔...............☎️ ??? 🤷‍♀️
SW-User
Bathroom breaks were notably shorter.
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
Didn't you have books and newspapers?
calicuz · 51-55, M
Landlines and letters
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@calicuz Portable telephones have been available for longer than the so-called "smart" versions though. The first were nearly as big as a brick but the first pocket-sized ones, of general styles still common, were introduced in the 1980s I think.


I think the general point is that each time something new is developed, many go for it then ask "how did we manage without". Often, quite well. We might not want to revert but people did manage.

However it also leads to a peculiar "because we can" attitude by which the very-latest is used simply because it is the very latest even when for the particular situation, it may not be the simplest or most efficient way.

After all, does it really matter that a letter takes 2 days to arrive when the supposed immediacy of a text-message merely by its electronics may not reflect the recipient's delay in reading it and replying? In many cases, no.
calicuz · 51-55, M
@ArishMell

All true.
JSmith75 · 46-50, M
Also we had actual conversations with each other
ArishMell · 70-79, M
Quite easily, actually. We just got on with whatever we needed to do, in the ways available.

The one thing I do regret about the development of so-called "smart"-'phones (apart from that silly name) is their encouraging of very unsociable behaviour. It is almost as if many of their owners have forgotten how, and more importantly when, to switch the wretched distractions off.

My portable 'phone, which is not "smart", spends far more time OFF than ON.
Carissimi · 70-79, F
Very well, actually.
With dumb phones
If your age is correct then you know how the world functioned without smartphones.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@MissBrittany Good point.

The "smart"-'phone as we have now, with its access to the Internet, rather than primarily just a radio-telephone, is really quite recent, though I don't know when it was developed.

I think your comment applies to one or two respondents as well, who seem to have mis-read a question about "smart-phones", not portable telephones generally, nor the Internet.
BlueRain · F
We did just fine.
Ynotjenn · F
🤷🏻‍♀️
69TommyDe · 26-30, M
Before the invention of smartphones people had landlines. Plus if you were out and you had to call your house you had to hunt for a payphone.
SW-User
We bought newspapers, had encyclopedias in the book shelf and played music on a record player.
Chevy454 · 46-50, M
Dewey Decimal system!!!
SW-User
@Chevy454 👆🏻👏🏻
There's something I've not used in 30 years probably since the advent of the Internet.
Chevy454 · 46-50, M
Yup!!👍👍@SW-User
JSmith75 · 46-50, M
Yes I can't remember the last time I mailed a letter
Davis35 · 36-40, M
@JSmith75 true😄
Doomflower · 36-40, M
Phones of retarded dials
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@Doomflower Pardon? :-)
Effloresce · 26-30, F
I read a lot more
Justice4All · 36-40, M
@Effloresce In my freshmen year in college, I did most of my research by going to the library and reading. I learned a lot more information that way too.
DDonde · 31-35, M
I've only had one for like, two years lol.

 
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