My Life without Gadgets

[BridgeTheGap]

I don’t have an iPad, and I have no in­tention of getting one.

I don’t have an iPhone, ei­ther. Or any kind of smart­phone. In fact, I don’t send or receive text messages, don’t download apps, and dare I say it? I have absolutely no idea how to play Angry Birds.

What these things have in common is that they have all failed a very simple test: Will this make my life better?

That isn’t to say these gad­gets and doo­dads serve no purpose. Clearly they do some­thing, or no one would buy them. The iPad, for in­stance, al­lows users to send e-mails, watch movies, even play gyro­scope-enhanced games. But my deci­sion isn’t based on: Is this thing cool-looking or mul­ti­functional? More of­ten than not, when I wonder “Will this make my life better,” the hon­est answer is no.

http://www.ongo.com/v/980000/-1/61DECCDF6AE22E9B/my-life-without-gadgets

[Uben]

1. You are so stone aged!

And, I am, too. I don't own any of that stuff, either. It's not that I can't afford it, I can. I can pretty much buy anything I want. It's just that I don't see any of it making my life better, either. I have a cell phone. I'm not sure how old it is, but it works. I can send and receive calls. I use it about twice a week. My computer is about 5 yrs old and works fine.

My big extravagance.......a 73" HDTV. I've had one this size for 10 years. Once you go big, you can't go back.

My main vehicle is 8 yrs old. My truck is 11 yrs old. They both run fine, so until they start to falter, I will keep them.
My home is 40 yrs old and could use some updating, but it's paid for. I have enough money to buy a new everything, but I have no desire to "keep up with the Joneses". I'm happy, and secure. What else could one want?

My wife and I are both frugal. Maybe that's why we are financially secure. As we enter our sixties, we have both been retired for 10 yrs. We live at a lake, and I like to spend my time fishing and working in the yard. My wife is an artist, and she paints, does stained glass, and enjoys photography. We haven't taken a vacation in 5 yrs. Actually, we feel like we are on vacation here at home.

Life is subjective. Everyone's idea of happiness is different. HAving control of my time and not living on someone else's schedule is my idea of happiness.

But why live this way? Simple. Ten years ago, the love of my life got breast cancer. I was sure I was going to lose her. I didn't, so I vowed to enjoy every day we had left, together. So, that's what we have done! It was the right decision for us.
When I die, even if it's tomorrow, I will die a happy man, thankful for the time I've had and the people in my life. Every day is a bonus. Gadgets may make life easier for some, but they aren't necessary to achieve hapiness. All you need for that is a good mate and the time to enjoy life.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. You are not alone. Retirement for me is all about downsizing.

Threw away the cell phone.
Tossed the tv I never watched.
Don't listen to radio, we get lousy reception out here in the boonies.
I have a Nook, it was a gift.

The computer I love. Gets me the email from a very very select number of people.

I am glad your wife is doing well, and I totally understand the bliss of a retirement that is "one long vacation".

[dkf]

7. My pops thought the same way...

That is why I got him directv, so he could see his ball games, his plasma tv, his iPad, his wifi, and his cell phone.

They used to broadcast his ball games on the radio back in the day. But now with so much other sports radio they rarely do it. He lives for his baseball, as he has done his entire life, beginning with walking miles to the nearest store so he could hear their radio as a boy. It has kept him intellectually active, as he can give you statistics, strategies, even farm team stats! His siblings have had problems with dementia but not him. I really think his intense love of his beloved team keeps him mentally fit.

Funny thing is I couldn't teach him to get the radio broadcasts on the PC. But with his iPad, he learned how to follow the team through tweets! Many times when I see him he is reading up on the team. He cracks me up.

[Lifelong Protester]

2. I will join you all in the less gadgets world.

I see a lot of these gizmos just wasting people's time.

And seeing people gaze endlessly at the small screen of their phone, waiting for somebody, ANYBODY, to contact them, is sad really. How much of one's life is to be wasted looking at that small screen?

[digonswine]

5. Yeah-texting, talking, always calling -panic when not in 3 feet of the thing.

I don't even have a cell(I'm 37)--I guess if I was more popular I'd need one. AND-why is it that when certain people get a smart-phone, they have to show you all the "cool" stuff on it. Like donkey-on-girl porn or some other such terror. Why would you show that to others?

[Uben]

9. Aint that the truth?

I was in the doc's office last month for a check-up. I have always been sinfully healthy....turns out I still am! While in the waiting room, there were about six or seven others waiting. HAlf of them were playing with their phones. I don't know what they were doing, but they were sure engrossed in it. I actually prefer not carrying a phone. Call me old fashioned, but I don't like to be tied to anything. The number one reason I have a cell phone at all?.........so my wife can call me and add something to the grocery list while I am at the store shopping. I kid you not! Three people know my number. My wife, my best friend, and my daughter. I like it that way!

Texting? What the hell is that for? You have a damned phone, call em! hehe Twitter? Give me a break. I don't care what you're doing 24/7. If it's important, I'll find out eventually.

The more simple life is, the better. I still write letters. You know, pencil and paper, envelope and stamps. The postman has to eat, too!

I'll admit, I'm old-fashioned. I like it, my wife likes it. What else matters?

[dkf]

4. The best thing about the iPad and iPhone is instant connectivity all the time.

Which can be bad too. It is very easy to look at DU at every minute of possible boredom, especially with a cell phone.

In terms of the iPhone or any smart phone the biggest improvement in my life is that if I travel I am never completely lost because I always have instant accesss to maps and to locators. It gives me the confidence to know that I can go anywhere and without much preparation find whatever I need, a coffee, a gas station, reviews of restaurants, whatever. I don't really need to ask directions anymore, just explain I have my phone.

It has led me to feel comfortable that I can travel solo, knowing I have flight data, bus data, whatever I need to get around.

I love my iPhone. Prior to getting it I was too cheap to pay for data, and deliberately kept the old style phone so I could text but not have the extra data fee. Now I cannot do without it.

[BridgeTheGap]

6. I think they have a 12 step program this. ;-) n/t

[dkf]

8. Hee hee.

Yup woke up at 3 am and can't to back to sleep so it's DU for me.

Love this place.

[Lifelong Protester]

10. Is there no one else out there besides me who doesn't want to

be on an electronic leash? I don't want to be instantly connected, endlessly tracked, and breathlessly waiting for the next 'tweet' or 'twirp' or whatever.

[snagglepuss]

12. I don't. Even when I had a cell phone< I'd let the calls to through to voice mail

unless I was expecting an important call. I have a great fondness for pre-cell phone days. Being on a date or with friends without constant interruption seems like a golden age.

[struggle4progress]

11. Get Off the Internet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUmQf6rIB2w

It feels so 80's
Or early 90's
To be political
Where are my friends?

(Get off the Internet!)
I'll meet you in the street
(Get off the Internet!)
Destroy the right wing

[Thumper79]

13. I am so there with you

I don't have an iPhone or any kind of "pad." I use my old cell phone (5+ years old) maybe once a month. I text maybe once every couple of months. I keep telling myself that I should take it with me when I'm in the car but 99% of the time, I forget. My life better than if I had those gadgets because I'd be paying for them. I'm quite happy with what I have.:fistbump:

[yellowcanine]

14. I am thinking of ways to down size. I am going to lose the cable TV for sure.

And make a digital antenna to just get local tv stations.

Also thinking of replacing the land-line with Ooma - a VOIP phone.

If that goes well, I may lose the cell phone subscription and go with a pre-paid cell phone just for emergencies - this last one I am not as sure it is a good idea.

The cell-phone plan is dang expensive though and I would like to do something about it.

[Wait Wut]

15. Unrec for getting the Inspector Gadget song stuck in my head.

Kidding, but I hated IG as a kid and the song is annoying.

I don't have anything against gadgets, themselves, however. Not a big gadget user, but I can see the coolness of them and sometimes I wish I were 20 years younger so I could enjoy that coolness more.

[muriel_volestrangler]

16. There's quite a lot to be said for cellphones, and text messages

I notice the author doesn't specify if he thinks a cellphone is a useless gadget. But being in touch while mobile is very useful, and also sociable. And texts are an extension of that - a quick and easy way to leave messages, without demanding someone's immediate attention when you don't know what they're in the middle of.

I also note he lists 'gas' in between groceries and socks in what appears to be his list of 'necessities' that he congratulates himself on always being able to afford thanks to not having a TV etc. So he's not immune to needless consumerism of the products of multi-nationals when it takes his fancy.

Final irony: the link goes to 'ongo', which offers you a lot of stuff from the web (like thsi Washington Post article), for only $6.99/month! Seems like a pointless doodad to me.

[Stuckinthebush]

17. I don't need that garsh darned tel-e-phone!

We did just fine with going door to door saying hi to people! That darn tel-e-phone is gonna be the ruin of civilization!

:D

Just funnin with you! There are always Luddites who pop up with every new technological advance. More power to them but my smart phone has made my life SOOOO much easier. But that's just me.

Now that damn microwave....don't get me started!

[boppers]

18. Let me know when you ride a horse.

Until then, you're just somebody trying to claim superiority about not having technology.

If this is unclear, send me a telegraph.