Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Another Reason I Am Happy Not To Have A Cell Phone


I always tell everyone that I really have no friends to talk to so it would just be a waste of my time and money for me to have a cell phone. Everything I can do with iPhone I can do just as well with my table top computer and my lap top computer.

Plus I refuse to downgrade my near legendary typing speed and accuracy to communicate with only my thumbs like some caveman.

I heard on the news today that iPhone released in the past year have been recording not only every call a person makes but from what locations they made those calls from.

This information may find itself into divorce procedures and criminal investigations. Hard to lie to the police, your boss or ex-wife when they can check where you were each second of your day through you cell phone.

Is this any different from your I.P. Address allowing big brother to record every key stroke you make or every site you visit on the Internet?

Does this bother anyone or is it all part of the same monitoring that the MAN has always done since we entered the digital age? I was never under any delusion that anything was ever private anymore and I am okay with that.

After all, except to a certain killer species with tentacles that lives in our oceans, I am not really a big enough fish for anyone to fear. Plus, if the premiere law enforcement in Europe (Interpol) couldn't keep me from time travelling and make mischief during the 80s, I think I have little to fear from the global authorities. In their defence the above picture was the only picture they had of me to go on.

What do you all think about this topic aside from the fact that I have gone insane?

14 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

There was a similar article not long ago warning people not to post photos online that were taken with their cell phone at their home address. The GPS tracking device in the phone encrypts the address info on the photo and it can be deciphered by someone on the internet. Then they know where you live.

Kal said...

That adds to my arguement and is pretty scary if that is the case. There needs to be better security build into these communication devices.

I don't want either octopus or crazed female fans to be albe to locate the cave of cool without an invite.

M. D. Jackson said...

Just another reason why I won't have a cell phone, other than the main reason, that being, people will want to talk to you. It's not that I have anything against talking but people who feel compelled to call you wherever you are usually want something from you or they want you to do something for them.

If you want to talk then there's notrhing wrong with a land line. I can kick back in the comfort of my home and talk with a friend. When I'm out and about, doing my thing whoever has the nerve to disturb me with a phone call is probably someone I don't want to talk to.

Why have a cell phone? Why not just put a leash around your neck and give the end to a dozen people all in different directions?

No thanks!

Kal said...

I knew there was another of the many reason why were are good friends. I appreciate you agreeing with me about this. We may just be a couple of luddites but I like how we don't feel compelled to join all the sheep.

TS Hendrik said...

A few years back they also revealed in a story that any cell phone, whether active or not can be used as a listening device by the government.
Big no thanks. Throw in the whole cancer thing and I'm happy to stay away from them as much as possible.

Wusel's... said...

You're right and I'm somehow the same opinion. I'd love to go back to the times when I made appointments with my friends by calling them from landline. And when no ringtone disturbed me when I didn't want to be disturbed. Sometimes I hate my Blackberry but I also know - sad but true - that I need it, depend on it, that I wouldn't be able to manage my jobs, hobbies, whole schedule without it... It's a crazy world and I'd love to live again like 20 years before but...we've gone too far and it's simply not possible anymore. If I gave up my smart phone my whole life would stumble and soon break down, I'm afraid. I got it because of my job and because all the people around me have one and no one would be able to reach me because I have often such a full schedule that I'm never home to be reachable on landline. I hate this sometimes but there's no other way for me. Ask Lady Gaga, I think she feels the same about her BB. *LOL*

Ruth said...

I don't have a cellphone either. Except for the possibility of being out and about and having car trouble, there isn't a need for us to have one.
Plus, the whole tracking thing really bugs me.
And the texting thing. I just don't like the idea of doing that.

Kal said...

I am sure that like Joe, if I did have one I would be more than happy to have my life revolve around one. It's such an easy trap to fall into. I sometimes thing I was born at the perfect age to enjoy the 80s, the Digital Age but just be that much too old to avoid home gaming systems and cell phone mania. Though I do regret the home gaming part. I just need some 12 year old to school me on the better points of 'Call of Duty' because when I attempt playing the game myself I die way to quickly to make it any fun.

DrGoat said...

I hate cellphones, but i actually got one of those pay-as-you-go phones. My wife insisted after I hit 60 and I'm not the heathiest person in the world, and it's really a pain in the ass to change the tire on my truck anymore. So I call my AARP road service. See what you guys have to look forward to.

Kal said...

I know that time is coming for me althought I do feel more fit and stronger in the past month since I changed many of my old habits.

DrGoat said...

Good for you, Cal. I am so glad to hear that.

Sarah said...

I don't go crazy with my phone, it has some doodads but it's not a smartphone. I like having it for convienence, like when I'm at the grocery store and need to call home for some silly food question.

The way I see it, even though you may have it with you all the time, it doesn't mean you have to respond when someone contacts you. I ignore it all the time.

Big Brother is worrisome but has other ways of tracking me so why stress over one more if I'm not about the others?

At the same time, I can see where having one isn't practical or desired. The bill isn't fun and there are many other ways to stay in touch with your people.

Kal said...

For me it's an extention of how I always felt about phones all my life. I always hated to talk on them because I hate those pauses in conversation and for some reason being on the phone makes uncomfortable silences even worse. I just like to get on, say my piece, ask my questions and hang up. I rarely answer the phone and leave the answering machine to stand between me and the caller. For a guy who is familar with many forms of technology I am embarassed that I find using a cell phone to be so difficult to figure out. I like email or instant messaging because I can work on my responses and I don't have to be spontaneous - I am good at being spontaneous but I hate the pressure - like a comedian who feels the pressure to be funny. It's a weird topic that I think about alot.

DrGoat said...

I've always hated answering the phone too. I still will pick it up and walk across the room and hand it to my wife while it's ringing.