Is it selfish not to carry a mobile phone?

[slowmotion]

I don't think it's selfish; just a bit daft. Is there any reason not to carry around a mobile phone?

...a simple desire not to become completely enslaved by the gadget...?

 

[redcard]

...a simple desire not to become completely enslaved by the gadget...?

There's a difference between carrying around a piece of useful equipment and being 'completely enslaved'.

Let's keep things in perspective. You say that as if you have no free will.

 

[slowmotion]

Oh dear. The first step is to get the addict to acknowledge his addiction...

 

[rich p]

That is the typical modern attitude towards things.

If you dont have a phone, you are weird. If you dont have a TV, you are weird. If you dont have a computer, you are weird.
You always have to have something in order to not be weird. People nowadays dont understand the concept of 'naturallity'.

I totally agree.
What's naturality?

 

[redcard]

Oh dear. The first step is to get the addict to acknowledge his addiction...

Is that admission that your argument was complete made-up bunkum?

 

[guitarpete247]

Before I start I'll let you know I'm a teacher.

I can't understand why the youth of today cannot go 5 minutes without having their phones out. Texting, My Book or Face Space. Or getting a text from their mother who is seriously ill/having a baby. Or they will immediately drop it onto their lap and tell me "it is away" but pick it up less than 5 seconds later to carry on where they left off. If they do hand it over when asked they have to take the battery and SIM card out. As a supply teacher They try it on as they assure that at this school/in this lesson they can have their phones out or headphones in.


I've also even seen lads put their headphones in before kissing their girlfriend. As if they need a banging beat to get down with his woman.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

I don't think it's selfish; just a bit daft. Is there any reason not to carry around a mobile phone?

The clue is in your phrase "Useful piece of equipment". It is useful, but not essential. When I'm out on the bike my phone is with me (though if I forget it I don't panic, I spent most of my life without one) but it is switched off. When I go into a restaurant or snooker hall or visit someone's home it is turned off.

 

[summerdays]

I like to have mine on me - just in case there is a problem with the children, on the other hand I don't always notice it ringing and so can easily miss someone calling me. It's better to send me a text as at least I will get it eventually.

One of my children can't leave her phone alone for more than 5 seconds though she knows there is a ban on bringing it to the dinner table for example.

But at least if I'm carrying a mobile I have the option to contact other people such as another Mum to pick up my youngest if I have a problem with the bike or run late.

 

[GrasB]

My phone stays on almost all the time but with a profile which allows me to stop all indication that someone is calling/texting me except for numbers I really want to let through (eg my wife's phone has an I.C.E. number in the address book which will always trigger my mobile to ring). The reason is I want a log of who called me when, however I don't want to be interrupted. When it is convenient for me I'll check the phone for missed calls/text & reply as I see fit. Friends know this & expecte me not to answer the phone.

 

[snorri]

I totally agree.
What's naturality?

Errr rich p, pedant mode, just check that post again, there's a double l in naturallity.

PS I don't know what it means either, but I can imagine, well I think I can anyway.

 

[redcard]

Errr rich p, pedant mode, just check that post again, there's a double l in naturallity.

 

[Blue Steel]

I acknowledge that a mobile phone can be a useful piece of kit to have around sometimes, I'm not a complete luddite, but the way some people can't leave the house without one as if it's an essential life support machine does make me shake my head in disbelief (metaphorically, I don't actually shake my head in disbelief).
And no I don't have a mobile phone. I'm such an anti social git no one wants to speak to me anyway.

 

[DRHysted]

Problem is I tend not to use mine as a phone.

Its the cycle computer, gps unit, mp3 player, forum surfer, dog tracker.

Oh occasionally I'll make a phone call.

 

[Matthew_T]

Before I start I'll let you know I'm a teacher.

I can't understand why the youth of today cannot go 5 minutes without having their phones out. Texting, My Book or Face Space. Or getting a text from their mother who is seriously ill/having a baby. Or they will immediately drop it onto their lap and tell me "it is away" but pick it up less than 5 seconds later to carry on where they left off. If they do hand it over when asked they have to take the battery and SIM card out. As a supply teacher They try it on as they assure that at this school/in this lesson they can have their phones out or headphones in.

I have never agreed with this. It has only been 3 years since I went to high school (I was never on the phone in class at all). I can understand however, someone taking their SIM and battery out, as they dont know if you will turn the phone on and ring/mess about with it.
Teachers at my school took your phone off you, put it in a sealed envolope, and you had to collect it from the headmasters room at the end of the day.

I do sypathise with you however with being a supply teacher. Students nowadays feel that it is a 'get out of jail' card when their normal 'strict' teacher isnt in, and a 'limited control' teacher is in.

I remember one time I had a supply teacher in my DT class. He was dark skin coloured (politically correct?) and had made quite a bit of money from creating music. We talked with him for about 15 minutes, and then were happy to get on with our work. A few other students tried to carry on a conversation with him, but he coaxed them into doing work.
He had a brilliant personallity and was smiling all day long.

Supply teachers can got two ways: Strict, or laid back.

 

[Matthew_T]

My phone stays on almost all the time but with a profile which allows me to stop all indication that someone is calling/texting me except for numbers I really want to let through (eg my wife's phone has an I.C.E. number in the address book which will always trigger my mobile to ring). The reason is I want a log of who called me when, however I don't want to be interrupted. When it is convenient for me I'll check the phone for missed calls/text & reply as I see fit. Friends know this & expecte me not to answer the phone.

I have done this with 3 of the most likely numbers to get through to someone on my phone.