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On the other hand...
antisocial.jpg


There's many images like this one and some have debated how legit they are, but giving their veracity the benefit of the doubt, there is at least something social about using a smartphone. Many of us are using phones right now to engage in this conversation. A head buried in a newspaper is truly isolated.
 
Like others who have posted in this thread I mostly avoid checking my phone when out of the house.

For once it's a bit of a relief to be away from mail and web and all that for a bit, then I find it annoying to try to read a glossy screen outside in daylight and lastly I can really feel the eye strain from staring at that compact display so I also treat using it as a bit of a health issue.

Re: the comparison posted right above: I wonder if back in the day you had people walk the streets with their heads buried in newspapers.
 
Basically the only time I'm using my iPhone is outside. That's what phones were made for.
 
Yep, using for productivity doesn't make sense... maybe just for phonecalls or checking calendar events. But as a personal device I think it can do a great job job: you stay connected, you communicate, and so on in a very personal and discreet way. I love it.
Yeah, ‘productivity’ meaning calendar, urgent emailing, communication, quick notes, etc. Not typing up a report haha.

For me its the other way around. At home I use my phone less. I depend heavily on my phone for work. I run a successful business from 3 warehouses. At home usually on iPad for viewing. Or 75'' sammy on my living room wall. Or 60'' sammy in my master room.
I too use my iPad and TV at home instead of my phone. So yes, I only use my phone when outside, but my point was just that I prefer only using my device(s) outside of the home when I need to and leaving the consumption for home. So if I ran a successful business from 3 warehouses, I’d probably use my phone just as much as you, because hey you gotta eat.

On the other hand...
View attachment 864067

There's many images like this one and some have debated how legit they are, but giving their veracity the benefit of the doubt, there is at least something social about using a smartphone. Many of us are using phones right now to engage in this conversation. A head buried in a newspaper is truly isolated.
But I’d argue there are key negative social differences with phones. You read a paper and you’re done, while a phone is an endless source of entertainment and preoccupation. And with a newspaper, you were often reading the same paper as the guy next to you, so it offered a possible topic for conversation. Being able to see what another person is reading (same being true of books) in general offers inclusiveness and opportunity for conversation. Whereas a phone is very private and rightly so since it has very private information (asking what a stranger is doing on their phone is unheard of), and therefore more truly isolates a person from others around them. Staring at one’s phone as basically the equivalent of putting up a “do not disturb” sign (I think the same is true of wearing headphones in public). Yes, newspapers/books do this too to some extent, but more so with phones.
A smartphone being more “social” is actually more concerning to me, because it gives people a false sense of connectedness, when we all know online social interaction is a very filtered, and therefore much less unauthentic and ultimately less fulfilling form of social connection.

Again, I’m not judging people who stare at their phones. I‘m on my phone too when necessary. But I am conscious about when it is necessary and when it is not, because I’m aware of the effects it has on myself and others. And it’s the choice I make. If people make another choice, who am I to judge. But I do wonder if many people are not aware enough to even make that choice.


Basically the only time I'm using my iPhone is outside. That's what phones were made for.
Yes, me too. I use an iPad and TV when I’m at home. Point is not about which device I use where; the point is just that I choose to decommission my senses (eyes on screen, headphones in ears) outside only when necessary so that as much as possible, I am aware of and available to the world.
 
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The only thing I'll do outside with my phone is aswering calls or important messages, otherwise, I never use it. I don't like to listen music when I'm outside, I want to listen my surroundings and when I'm with someone, its important to me to just enjoy spending my time with this person because I think its very disrespectful when someone constantly use their phones in front of my face (There's some old friends I don't see much nowadays mostly because of their addiction with their phones and social media)

At home I'll use my iPad and my Mac 90% of the time. I'll use my phone when I'm in my bed or I'm too far from both iPad and Mac. So thats why I keep my phone for many years and I like to upgrade my iPad more frequently cause I'm not so addicted to my phone and I'll never understand why how some people can pass 8 hours a day on it. Even with the 6.5 inch screen, its still too small to do some intense web browsing or watching movies/TV shows.
 
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The only thing I'll do outside with my phone is aswering calls or important messages, otherwise, I never use it. I don't like to listen music when I'm outside, I want to listen my surroundings and when I'm with someone, its important to me to just enjoy spending my time with this person because I think its very disrespectful when someone constantly use their phones in front of my face (There's some old friends I don't see much nowadays mostly because of their addiction with their phones and social media)

At home I'll use my iPad and my Mac 90% of the time. I'll use my phone when I'm in my bed or I'm too far from both iPad and Mac. So thats why I keep my phone for many years and I like to upgrade my iPad more frequently cause I'm not so addicted to my phone and I'll never understand why how some people can pass 8 hours a day on it. Even with the 6.5 inch screen, its still too small to do some intense web browsing or watching movies/TV shows.
We are very similar.
 
I spend all of my time at work staring at screens, and a fair amount at home doing the same. When I'm out and about, I like to keep them away and try to take in the environment!
 
At home is a completely different story. I’m a content-consuming fiend, so at home I’m on a screen constantly (but usually an ipad or tv). And like everyone here I’m a tech enthusiast. But when I’m out in the world, I prefer to focus on my surroundings, especially (but not only) when people are around, so I want to be on my phone as little as possible. Of course, my phone is an invaluable tool for many necessary tasks when out and about, but I want it to do these tasks as quickly and non-obtrusively as possible, so that I can keep my focus on the world around me. That’s why the SE was the most ideal phone for me. All of that function in an unassuming size (I would have paid for more function in the same size if I could).

But when I look around at the world, at the sizes of phones these days and how it seems like people are always looking at their phones by default, I feel like such an odd one out. Not judging. People have their reasons. Just sharing my position to see how many others, if any, can relate.
I actually wish Apple would make an iPhone 11 without the camera. I just don’t see photos as having any importance outside of the purposes of identification (Passport or Driver License).
 
Yes, I try to use less tech in general. I stoped saying to my kid “do that again” to take him a photo.

In his birthday (2 years) I was amazed how the parents where all saying orders to their kids so they could grab videos or photos: “do it again”, “wait! Jump now!” “Give her a kiss and look to the camera”...I left my phone on the bag and just played with my kid...

A basic phone like the SE (basic I mean compared to the last ones) helps a lot; but when you take “that” photo you want a better camera (or that is what you think to justify a 1000 dls phone?).

Each their own...
I tried cutting back on pictures over the last two years ... the downside is that I now have far less pictures of my kids for 2018 and 2019 than I have for the previous ten years. Obviously. But it kind of sucks ...
 
I actually wish Apple would make an iPhone 11 without the camera. I just don’t see photos as having any importance outside of the purposes of identification (Passport or Driver License).
Interesting. Not even for historical purposes? How about document scanning? Or taking photos after an accident? They can be pretty useful, not just for Instagram haha.
 
Interesting. Not even for historical purposes? How about document scanning? Or taking photos after an accident? They can be pretty useful, not just for Instagram haha.
Well, I don’t really have any need for the items you’ve mentioned. A camera on my phone adds a camera bump and increases the cost of the phone when I have no use for that feature on a phone. I just feel that Apple is trying to make the iPhone be all things to all people. I can understand that some people want a camera on their phone, but I would love to have Apple manufacture an iPhone without a camera.. and, of course, at a lower cost.
 
Well, I don’t really have any need for the items you’ve mentioned. A camera on my phone adds a camera bump and increases the cost of the phone when I have no use for that feature on a phone. I just feel that Apple is trying to make the iPhone be all things to all people. I can understand that some people want a camera on their phone, but I would love to have Apple manufacture an iPhone without a camera.. and, of course, at a lower cost.
Unfortunately, We are on a era of social media Networks and narcissism people all over the place, so yeah, Camera on a smartphone will sell and sell big.
 
Can’t stand when people are walking in the street on their phones not looking where they are going. You almost want them to bump into people and see their phone smash
 
I take the train to work in the city and oh boy, is that an awkward sight seeing every single person looking down on their phones. I could yell bloody murder and no one will blink an eye. Unfortunately, this is our future of dumbing down the world.
 
Well, I don’t really have any need for the items you’ve mentioned. A camera on my phone adds a camera bump and increases the cost of the phone when I have no use for that feature on a phone. I just feel that Apple is trying to make the iPhone be all things to all people. I can understand that some people want a camera on their phone, but I would love to have Apple manufacture an iPhone without a camera.. and, of course, at a lower cost.
I don’t think it’s just some people who want a camera on their phone—it’s likely an overwhelming majority (though probably many don’t want the bump). But I can understand your pain—I’m one of the minority who wants a tiny smartphone (used to be called “regular-sized smartphone”), but Apple only makes phablets now (which are now called “regular-sized smartphones”).

I like your style.
Again, no one is saying one shouldn’t use their phone when they need to.
 
I may be in the minority, but whenever I step outside, I don't want to be bothered by a phone call or a text message.

I treat my phone as an emergency tool. Nothing more and nothing less. I know that some people can't wrap their head around this, but we've been fine without this tech for thousands of years. Why is it that, all of a sudden, we can't spend a few minutes - let alone hours - without being distracted by our phones?

There are multiple reasons why I turn on airplane mode when outside:

  • The phone goes in my pocket. And even though this topic has been beat to death, I like to avoid as much electro-magnetic interference and radiation given off by wireless devices as possible. I believe that exposure time as well as proximity makes a difference. I also realize that some individuals are more sensitive to this than others. When I turn wifi off at home and limit my phone use, I feel better, more relaxed, and experience far less side effects, like headaches.
  • I simply don't want to be disturbed. I want to go about my business and I emphasize the word my. If I have the need or find the urge to call/text someone, I do it. It's as simple as that. If I miss a phone call because I'm in airplane mode, no problem. If the call was important, the person will call back or leave a message. If they don't, maybe it wasn't important enough to begin with.
  • I want to experience the world through my eyes instead of the lens on my phone. Everywhere I go nowadays - be it a concert or any other event - most people are like zombies. They literally see everything through the lens of their smartphone. It's sad and frankly quite ridiculous if you truly think about it.

To say that our society is dependent on smartphones is an understatement. Most people are addicted (beyond belief) without realizing it. Smartphones are like cocaine, but worse is some ways. At least cocaine doesn't make you anti-social. That's not to say that smartphones or any other form of electronic communication isn't a great thing. It's just that it is being completely misused and abused.

It's hard to believe that most of the popular services like FaceBook, Insta, and Twitter have become known as "social media". I'm sorry to break it to everyone, but it's the complete opposite: anti-social media.

Fun fact: I conduct interviews at work daily and I find that our youth doesn't even know how to act in person anymore. They can't nod, look in the eyes, and their attention span is less than 10 seconds. They can't engage in a normal everyday social interaction. It's actually quite sad and scary at the same time.
 
I may be in the minority, but whenever I step outside, I don't want to be bothered by a phone call or a text message.

I treat my phone as an emergency tool. Nothing more and nothing less. I know that some people can't wrap their head around this, but we've been fine without this tech for thousands of years. Why is it that, all of a sudden, we can't spend a few minutes - let alone hours - without being distracted by our phones?

There are multiple reasons why I turn on airplane mode when outside:

  • The phone goes in my pocket. And even though this topic has been beat to death, I like to avoid as much electro-magnetic interference and radiation given off by wireless devices as possible. I believe that exposure time as well as proximity makes a difference. I also realize that some individuals are more sensitive to this than others. When I turn wifi off at home and limit my phone use, I feel better, more relaxed, and experience far less side effects, like headaches.
  • I simply don't want to be disturbed. I want to go about my business and I emphasize the word my. If I have the need or find the urge to call/text someone, I do it. It's as simple as that. If I miss a phone call because I'm in airplane mode, no problem. If the call was important, the person will call back or leave a message. If they don't, maybe it wasn't important enough to begin with.
  • I want to experience the world through my eyes instead of the lens on my phone. Everywhere I go nowadays - be it a concert or any other event - most people are like zombies. They literally see everything through the lens of their smartphone. It's sad and frankly quite ridiculous if you truly think about it.

To say that our society is dependent on smartphones is an understatement. Most people are addicted (beyond belief) without realizing it. Smartphones are like cocaine, but worse is some ways. At least cocaine doesn't make you anti-social. That's not to say that smartphones or any other form of electronic communication isn't a great thing. It's just that it is being completely misused and abused.

It's hard to believe that most of the popular services like FaceBook, Insta, and Twitter have become known as "social media". I'm sorry to break it to everyone, but it's the complete opposite: anti-social media.

Fun fact: I conduct interviews at work daily and I find that our youth doesn't even know how to act in person anymore. They can't nod, look in the eyes, and their attention span is less than 10 seconds. They can't engage in a normal everyday social interaction. It's actually quite sad and scary at the same time.
I think we agree on many aspects, but I do prefer to stay somewhat reachable throughout the day for various reasons—some work-related so I don’t have much choice. But it’s a very conscious decision for me. There are only a handful of specific interruptions that I allow.
 
When I'm out and about, I'm usually not on my phone, but I will occasionally take "phone breaks" to check on a few things, and I tend to use my phone when I'm waiting in a queue for something to pass the time.

I mostly refuse to use my phone while walking, though. That's just asking to accidentally walk off a cliff. :)
 
Kind of the reverse. Use my phone more throughout the work day, less at home because I want to be with my loved ones.
 
I rarely use my phone when I'm out of the house. Sometimes when I’m sitting in the doctors office with nothing to do. I’m not on Facebook or Twitter so I don’t have those distractions. My phone is mostly for communication but I’m not one that talks on my phone in public either other than to answer briefly to say I’ll call you back. At home I use my iPad a lot but I don’t feel I need to be connected all the time when Im out.
 
There is a market but a small one for the functionality of an 11 pro in a iPhone 4 form factor.
The battery life hit makes it unfeasible.
I’d take the iPhone 8 size with the iPhone 4 build and the current notch screen. A small box like phone.
 
Im sort of the opposite. When i'm at home my family, especially my 1 year old takes up most of my time so im totally focused on them. I use my phone mostly when im outside and on my commute.
 
I spend most of my time in front of a screen, but my Mac or my iPad is usually the best option. I am happy to get away from the screen when I am out, but still want to be connected for when needed. So an SE is great for me.
 
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