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Cell phone could be necessary for many jobs (like deliveries). And cell phone + mobile data can be a cheaper alternative to computer + landline internet, which

by deogeo 7y ago

Cell phone could be necessary for many jobs (like deliveries). And cell phone + mobile data can be a cheaper alternative to computer + landline internet, which is pretty essential nowadays. Even if you argue you can do without, the money you'd spend on transportation to do in person what you'd otherwise do online would outweigh the price of a cell-phone. Not to mention the time you save, which can be used to avoid need to spend on childcare, or bring in more money with an extra job, or by using that time to cook, or... (haste makes waste).

ryanmercer 7y ago
>Cell phone could be necessary for many jobs (like deliveries) Then it should be provided by the employer. I don't know how old you are but, we got by without mass adoption of cellphones in the 90's just fine. You had an answering machine, people called you and if they didn't get you they left a message and you got home and pressed play. We also survived just fine without GPS and digital maps, people actually knew how to look at maps and write down directions. The only time I can even think of when someone would need to install a location app would be for gig economy stuff. Ride share and food delivery apps are often break-even at best when maintenance/upkeep is factored in and are not valid income sources for low-income individuals (if they even have a vehicle that meets the insurance requirements of the company). You don't even need to own a computer or have internet access at home, libraries exist. They have computers and internet for public use with the general requirement being a (free) library card. Businesses like FedEx Office also offer computer access for a modest fee https://www.fedex.com/en-us/office/computer-rental.html https://www.fedex.com/en-us/office/computer-rental.html .
- deogeo 7y ago
  > Then it should be provided by the employer. Unfortunately they don't live in should-be land. And when an employer asks them to send them a CV via e-mail, or to install the app which they use to send delivery pick-up/drop-off locations, "I didn't need these things in the 90s!" won't fly.

by deogeo 7y ago

ryanmercer 7y ago

>Cell phone could be necessary for many jobs (like deliveries) Then it should be provided by the employer. I don't know how old you are but, we got by without mass adoption of cellphones in the 90's just fine. You had an answering machine, people called you and if they didn't get you they left a message and you got home and pressed play. We also survived just fine without GPS and digital maps, people actually knew how to look at maps and write down directions. The only time I can even think of when someone would need to install a location app would be for gig economy stuff. Ride share and food delivery apps are often break-even at best when maintenance/upkeep is factored in and are not valid income sources for low-income individuals (if they even have a vehicle that meets the insurance requirements of the company). You don't even need to own a computer or have internet access at home, libraries exist. They have computers and internet for public use with the general requirement being a (free) library card. Businesses like FedEx Office also offer computer access for a modest fee https://www.fedex.com/en-us/office/computer-rental.html https://www.fedex.com/en-us/office/computer-rental.html .

deogeo 7y ago
> Then it should be provided by the employer. Unfortunately they don't live in should-be land. And when an employer asks them to send them a CV via e-mail, or to install the app which they use to send delivery pick-up/drop-off locations, "I didn't need these things in the 90s!" won't fly.