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> They'll be happy to have a cell phone, but it's not going to change their life. I would like to disagree on that. Obviously a phone is less important than fo

by chki 9y ago

> They'll be happy to have a cell phone, but it's not going to change their life. I would like to disagree on that. Obviously a phone is less important than food and water but when it comes to everything else it is quite a basic component of modern life in all countries/social settings. A phone is essential to communication, gathering information and education. It is also not prohibitively expensive for the value that it brings.

hueving 9y ago
It's interesting because I grew up without a phone and did very well. I think you're view is just warped by your own social circles.
- noxToken 9y ago
  I'm not asking you to reveal your age, but this sounds like an age related thing. In the US, most people grew up without phones. People can still do fine without a phone. However the access to information and ability to be contacted will make life much, much easier. A working phone number is an invaluable thing to have when looking for work.
  - ameister14 9y ago
    Most people did not grow up without phones. I know it's a bit pedantic, but people grew up without SMART phones. Most people on this website and I'd say most people successful under 35 grew up with access to the internet, though.
    - noxToken 9y ago
      I don't think it's pedantic to point it out. It is what I meant, but I think it is a very important distinction. I thought GP meant smart phone, but they could have meant a landline as well.
- ameister14 9y ago
  It's pretty unusual to grow up without access to a telephone. I don't think that the fact that you did it is proof that the communication revolution enabling instantaneous communication over distance didn't change the world or that not having that ability doesn't negatively impact someone's ability to make money or have a fulfilling social life.
- Can_Not 9y ago
  I'm guessing you also grew up with a TV with local news, libraries, 12 years of schooling, plenty of drinkable water, grocery stores you could walk to that were plentiful and affordable, farmers who've been using modern farming techniques for decades and felt just as safe as you, had dialup, electricity in your home, no civil wars, no warlords, no constant raids by gangs. When cell phones first came into my life, you could pay $50/month for the cheapest privilege to make phone calls (that I wasn't going to use). The most useful things about them was you could pay $20/month extra for unlimited texting. But a cellphone to many of them is their first affordable full-time internet access. They could use this to give their children half the childhood you were privileged with.

by chki 9y ago

hueving 9y ago

It's interesting because I grew up without a phone and did very well. I think you're view is just warped by your own social circles.

noxToken 9y ago
I'm not asking you to reveal your age, but this sounds like an age related thing. In the US, most people grew up without phones. People can still do fine without a phone. However the access to information and ability to be contacted will make life much, much easier. A working phone number is an invaluable thing to have when looking for work.
- ameister14 9y ago
  Most people did not grow up without phones. I know it's a bit pedantic, but people grew up without SMART phones. Most people on this website and I'd say most people successful under 35 grew up with access to the internet, though.
  - noxToken 9y ago
    I don't think it's pedantic to point it out. It is what I meant, but I think it is a very important distinction. I thought GP meant smart phone, but they could have meant a landline as well.
ameister14 9y ago
It's pretty unusual to grow up without access to a telephone. I don't think that the fact that you did it is proof that the communication revolution enabling instantaneous communication over distance didn't change the world or that not having that ability doesn't negatively impact someone's ability to make money or have a fulfilling social life.
Can_Not 9y ago
I'm guessing you also grew up with a TV with local news, libraries, 12 years of schooling, plenty of drinkable water, grocery stores you could walk to that were plentiful and affordable, farmers who've been using modern farming techniques for decades and felt just as safe as you, had dialup, electricity in your home, no civil wars, no warlords, no constant raids by gangs. When cell phones first came into my life, you could pay $50/month for the cheapest privilege to make phone calls (that I wasn't going to use). The most useful things about them was you could pay $20/month extra for unlimited texting. But a cellphone to many of them is their first affordable full-time internet access. They could use this to give their children half the childhood you were privileged with.