Dear So and So

[Pax]

We are getting closer and closer to the 80's. neither of us likes technology very much and while it's handy at times, it has become a huge time suck. We no longer have cable or internet at home, if we need to check on something we still have iPhones for a few more months, once we get through my moms estate stuff we're going to pay the penalty and ditch the smart phones and go back to cheapie flip phones.

I know part of it for me was being on-call 24-7 with my mom for over six years, now that my time is my own again I keep my phone shut off much of the time; the feeling of being unavailable is priceless. It is taking time for my friends to learn to contact me in advance if they want to do something since I may not check my phone for hours (if at all) that day.

[Helene2013]

Sometimes I wished we could disconnect from today's reality. Technology is great. No doubt about it. If it was not for internet, I would never have found some great discussion boards and met in person dozens and dozens of people across Canada and USA and made true valuable friendship.

But like you say Pax it is taking precious time away for things we could do.

Yesterday at lunch time, we had a work lunch and learn and it was on ergonomy at work, but a huge part was how our bodies are changing, no thanks though, to the technology. We are no longer looking ahead but down (putting pressure on our muscles who are not used/made to be in x position). The arrival of laptops and then tablets, iPhones (and the likes) are not good on our bodies. Long-term issues are to be found if we do not sit properly, move more (being a bike forum we know we move enough - or at least more than rest of population hihi). But it is a huge eye-opener on why we are going through some physical/mental issues and children even worst. Life is in the fast lane...but not necessarily the right one. At least too often.

I read an article 2 days ago where in the very near future (at least for Canada) that you won't be able to find a flip phone. Only those "intelligent" phones will become available. Just like CD/DVD/blue rays' are bound to be discontinued at home, vehicules, etc. So I would not ditch my iphone too quickly!!! Maybe just get a basic service. No need to put the internet on it. I have a basic phone (hubby has the iphone) and I don't need an iphone. I have a $10/month fee and charged by the minute but mine is rarely used. I keep accumulating those $$ as they are pushed month to month. What can be soooo urgent (in my life anyway) that I need to be reached 24/7/365. They can wait until I get home. We did not have cell phones when I was younger (ishhhh that makes me feel old) and no internet and we made it. And we had peace in the evening. Had time to enjoy other things: play monopoly or battleship.... or cuddle more with boyfriend. haha So yep...I think I could slow down on technology. Now....convincing hubby is another thing.

[Pax]

We'll go with Consumer Cellular, they used to be the old folks cell phone company so they have flip phones, but have recently added smart phones to their line up.

Totally hear about about ergonomics as well, our laptop died a few months ago and in that same effort to have "less" we replaced it with a tablet. After owning/using it for about a week I developed an endless stiff neck and cramping left shoulder; finally figured out it was holding the tablet! Now I use it on a stand on the counter on the rare occasions I need to use it.

I see the students here on campus always looking down at their phones, I wonder if their generation is going to suffer long term neck damage?

[Sky King]

We switched from the local phone company internet service to our cable company internet service to try to improve our cell phones - we are positioned at the bottom of the broadcast from the closest cell phone tower and have a concrete wall to contend with... I also installed an "extender/expander" that is supposed to act as a mini cell phone tower in our house but the DH's new phone seems to want to override that and try to stay on 4G instead of the 3g offered by the mini tower - what a cluster. The cable company internet will just suddenly stop - I know it is the company service and not something in our system (from facebook comments ) ugh. Yes technology rules. Very embarrassing when someone calls our toll free number and the connection is so bad we can't talk. Makes me long for the days of the At&t fight decades ago.