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Biffbarf
March, 2025

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Are You A Slave To Cell Phones

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smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
I remember back when home phones cost 30 a month, probably still do. I recently got a new phone (sIII) and my bill is now 90 a month with sprint, 1100 dollars a year. 5500 dollars for a gay ass phone for 5 years. I remember back when I didn't even have 1100 dollars.

Why the fuck are we paying for this bullshit ? Oh sweet i can get on face book at the grocery store ! awesome.

dont you feel bad for your parents ? multiple kids multiple phones, what happened to supper is at 6 and meet me here at 4:20 etc....... nobody can make plans anymore, people are brain dead attached to the money sucking device thats taking them over.

i pray to jebus google fucking takes over and hands out internet for free to america so we can end this bullshit.

-smuggs
12 years ago
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edai
Posts: 4995 - Karma: 4,705
smoke up!
12 years ago
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.Rybak.
Posts: 9017 - Karma: 9,869
Op- Click for larger image
12 years ago
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most_mint
Posts: 506 - Karma: 175
but.. then why did you buy a smartphone? got myself a nice ol classic flip phone for texting plans and making calls. costs a fraction of what your fancy internet phone costs.

I fully agree that prices are nuts, which is why im not gonna pay for it...
12 years ago
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
uhh...you know you didn't have to get a smartphone, right?
12 years ago
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,348
I kinda miss this but at the same time love being able to just call someone.
cant imagine what it must have been like trying to find bud....
12 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52303 - Karma: 170,439
Can you call somebody while swerving through traffic on a home phone?

Your argument is invalid.
12 years ago
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smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
i got the s3 for 50 bucks

i was paying 63 after tax for my old plan, sweet samsung slider.

i activated the s3 and just got my last bill and it was 92 bucks 50% more a month, which im stuck paying for 2 years. the s3 needs premium data which is extra money, there are new taxes, and they took away my credit union discount cuz they are toolbags.
12 years ago
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
i think its just the norm to have a smartphone. its not like i spend every minute on mine, but there are definitely times when i need internet access (get lost driving, have to transfer money between checking and saving on the go), and i have gotten used to that, so i dont think i could go back.

however those people that are literally slaves to their phone and are always on it, its disgusting. put it down and enjoy things once in a while
12 years ago
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gnartogue
Posts: 1005 - Karma: 417
this. i honestly think people at my school turn their head when they see me on my flip phone
12 years ago
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,062
im a slave to playing angry birds while im shitting
12 years ago
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breezepig
Posts: 522 - Karma: 5
OH NOES PPL R USING THERE PHONES INSTEAD OF TALKING TO MEEES

IS IT CUZ THEY ARE SUPER DUPER SHALLOW OR DO I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY EITHER AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ILL NEVER KNOWWWWWWW!!!!!!!11
12 years ago
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SKIWAGEN
Posts: 497 - Karma: 313
same, I rocked an old siver flip phone for the longest time because I broke my "better" phone, and couldn't get through a day without getting shit from some kid with an Iphone(almost everybody at my school)
12 years ago
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.Rybak.
Posts: 9017 - Karma: 9,869
And I don't sit and text all the time I use my phone for calling/texting to make plans and sitting on ns every waking hour of my boring life. 'Merica
12 years ago
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smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
im not saying people are on their phones too much. im saying to have a phone for 5 years you will need to make 8500 dollars before taxes to find the nearest take out pizza.

does anyone pay their own bills ?
12 years ago
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smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
are you away from your computer that much to make it worth 8500 dollars to be brain dead with a smart phone for 5 years ?
12 years ago
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,894
I'm a big believer in not getting a smartphone/data plan unless you really have a lot of idle time during your day and you actually take full advantage of the technology.

For someone who just wants to make phone calls, send text messages and check the weather you really don't need an expensive data plan, or data plan at all for that matter.

There are some people out there who do in fact take full advantage of what their phones have to offer, and couldn't do their jobs or be as productive without their phones. Personally if I've got a bit of time to kill commuting or whatever else I see my phone as an excuse to get shit done. Come to think of it, I'm not a slave to my phone at all, it's the other way around.
12 years ago
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The_Real_EWilly
Posts: 395 - Karma: 1,321
I got 99 problems but a phone bill aint 1. I roll with a tracfone like a fucking boss
12 years ago
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Puzzled
Posts: 4267 - Karma: 4,448
I THINK I'VE GONE BACK IN TIME YESSSS
12 years ago
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daannnnieel
Posts: 5163 - Karma: 4,293
I'm not a slave to my phone but you seem like a borderline psychopath.
12 years ago
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
I'm addicted to my phone and I don't deny it at all and I wish I wasn't because I hate it.

When I take a dump - take out my phone.
Sit on the couch - take out my phone.
Park my car - take out my phone.
Get bored in class...
class ends...
get bored doing homework...
Pretty much anything that doesn't require my hands.

And when I finally put it down I get some sort of notification and then I have to check texts, twitter, NS... Sometimes I truly wish I didn't have a smartphone.
12 years ago
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freestyler540
Posts: 13177 - Karma: 19,690
I saw that
12 years ago
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cope+
Posts: 763 - Karma: 870
Im downgrading once my iphone craps out
12 years ago
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alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
Yeah, and I don't even have a smart phone.
It's hard being the only high school aged kid without a smart phone, but then I look around and realize i'm one of the only ones who hasn't had their brain turned into mush.

Pretty satisfying. Plus I can go 4+ days on one charge
12 years ago
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alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
Yeah, and I don't even have a smart phone.
It's hard being the only high school aged kid without a smart phone, but then I look around and realize i'm one of the only ones who hasn't had their brain turned into mush.

Pretty satisfying. Plus I can go 4+ days on one charge
12 years ago
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most_mint
Posts: 506 - Karma: 175
once again, why did you buy a smartphone/a data plan? its not like its the only option. get a flip phone and a regular call and text plan, and save the money to buy your pizza.
12 years ago
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
Wow. You figured out people are materialistic and want to be cool. What a brilliant revelation.
12 years ago
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theschneidler
Posts: 2099 - Karma: 355
Don't have. A phone and and do not plan on getting one
12 years ago
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Hammyslapwagon
Posts: 1261 - Karma: 1,411
Phone companies and ISPs are notorious for ripping off their customers....badly...like really bad
12 years ago
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4884 - Karma: -770
Mine got stolen in NYC last friday night. I am traveling and don't have a smart phone just a prepay. It sucks balls. It also sucks I cant update my facebook and check in places and shit since I'm going to the Syracuse tournament games in San Jose and goin skiing and shit and want to use it. I can't wait to get the replacement.
12 years ago
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
I'm really tempted to do this.
12 years ago
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alvy.
Posts: 2134 - Karma: 377
Congrats on making that theifs day! Hopefully your next one gets stolen too:)
12 years ago
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
I love the elitism that exists from the people who look down upon people who text.


I'll call for certain things. Important issue for work or relatives? Call. Asking co-workers where they're getting lunch? Asking my brother when he needs to be picked up? text.


Not everything warrants a conversation.
12 years ago
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k-rob
Posts: 14217 - Karma: 2,892
having google in my pocket is probably the best technological change i've ever made in my life. a friend called me at 5 a.m. this morning because she was distraught and needed some advice and comfort, if i didn't sleep next to my cellphone she'd probably have cried herself to sleep. also, i get ripped off on almost everything i pay for except cannabis. hell, skiing is probably the most expensive thing i do, and i should really be spending that money on something else, but the mountains are the only place where i can get away from all the other bullshit. i'm making financial sacrifices here, but that doesn't make me a slave. if anything, choosing not to pay for these things would make me a slave to money. i'll gladly trade the ability to almost instantly reach my friends and family and if need be, emergency services, for a well-stocked bank account. i've got my priorities straight and monetary wealth is the least of them, thanks much.
12 years ago
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
My dad just left our old plan behind on sprint to get on verizon. We all had shitty non-data phones for 5 of us and he was paying $247 a month. He switched to Verizon, got a plan for $15 less a month, 6gb shared data, and iphone 4s all around. It's becoming much more affordable to own a smartphone and it's a hell of a lot more convenient to have one. You just got to learn not to let using it interfere too much with your everyday life.
12 years ago
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E__
Posts: 5751 - Karma: 4,636
I pay $20/month for unlimited call & text, voicemail, and call display. All I need.
12 years ago
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Downtofilm
Posts: 6896 - Karma: 20,395
Meh, its nice having email and web browsing on the spot.
12 years ago
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ski.cats
Posts: 577 - Karma: 352
$20 a month. unlimited smart phone everything.. http://www.republicwireless.com/

going to them once my contract is up, have a friend who says its working out. i actually subscribed, spaced on the fact im still in contract, and they refunded legitimately fast. dont give your money to price gouging att and verizon
12 years ago
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cbj
Posts: 2114 - Karma: 1,136
My phone costs 15$ a month for unlimited text on pay n talk
12 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61860 - Karma: 125,741
Things I need from a smart phone:
Email
Google
Calendar, Calc, Clock, Alarm (not limited to a "smart phone" but you get what im saying)

Thing I don't need but like having:
Web browsing, facebook, news apps, games etc

They're very useful and to some people necessary. I love having my email anywhere I go, helps me out a ton if I get an important email but dont have time to sit at a computer.

Having a smart phone on a road trip is fucking awesome too, tether up to a laptop and bam its like youre hangin out at home. A luxury yes, but why not?

I used a similar analogy in a different thread about having luxeries, but take cars for example. People save money, spend tons on financing a car (on a $10,000 loan you're easily paying 12-13k for that money) and I could use the same agrument as the OP and say "why would you spend so much extra money for a car? I could just ride my way cheaper bicycle or shit i dont even need it ill just walk!".

Everything we have in life is a luxury that have turned in to "necessities". Cars, microwaves, dish washers, laundry machines, air conditioning, shoes! for real, smart phones are a luxury and we "dont need them" but dude we don't need cars either but do you like walking 10 miles to wherever you need to go? no way, people "need" cars just like people "need" smart phones. 5 years from now you just wait, its gonna be way cheaper and itll be very rare for someone to not have a smart phone.

The internet is another great example of a luxury that has turned into a necessity. People lived without internet until the 90s, we could definitely live without it now, but do we want to? Are we willing to pay X amount for this luxury? Fuck yes we are.

Its all about finding value and to some $90 a month for a smart phone is completely logical, just like $50-100 a month for car insurance is logical, just like $200-400 a month is logical to own a car, just like paying $100 a month for premium cable is logical, you get where im going here.

OP i get where you're coming from but its just a new luxury that will soon be a necessity. In 5 years, everyone will have digital wallets and be able to do ANYTHING from their phone, its gonna be fucking nuts.
12 years ago
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t-roy
Posts: 4041 - Karma: 52
i use my smartphone for emailing, traveling, looking up stuff on the fly, mobile banking, etc. i'm at the end of my contract and need to decide what to do next...i'm thinking of just keeping my current android and using it for a month to month plan if possible.

i think smartphone games are going to be obsolete before too long just like silly facebook games/apps.
12 years ago
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s_a_m
Posts: 916 - Karma: 58
im with you dude, its the way to go
12 years ago
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3604 - Karma: 3,973
I need if for my job. My job also pays for it. Real world.
12 years ago
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2_fadez
Posts: 7780 - Karma: 4,183
You never realize how helpful smartphones are until you get one.

Yeah you can fuck around with them on stupid apps and facebook and shit, but that doesn't mean that they aren't incredibly useful.
I travel a lot and its nice to always have a map and gps on my phone to help out with directions. I do a fair amount of work with stocks on the side, and I can check my portfolio and trade while away from a computer.
Emails are more important than ever considering thats how almost all networking is done nowadays, so its nice being able to be in contact with professors, advisors and such while on the run
And I fucking love my weather app for when I'm hiking.
12 years ago
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
it's nice
12 years ago
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uosdwiSrjewoH
Posts: 4220 - Karma: 122
threads for when i'm on mobile.
12 years ago
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Dobies.
Posts: 1835 - Karma: 205
Can someone answer this question for me?

Who oversees the big carriers and their prices? (Verizon, Sprint, AT&T). Although I don't know much about cellular data, 30-40$ a month for just data seems like an extremely high price. Add in a family having 3-4 kids and that bill can get stupid high. I guess my question is, who is watching these companies so they don't completely spike the prices up/ do you see a more affordable data plan coming anytime in the near future..?
12 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61860 - Karma: 125,741
No one has to "oversee" it, they all can charge $30 a month for data and keep doing it. Theyre starting to do more "shared" data plans and smaller carriers are charging less like $50 for unlimited talk/text/data but they have worse coverage.

I will always pay for verizon though, most 4glte coverage and they will always have the "most" coverage.
12 years ago
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Bmo.
Posts: 4908 - Karma: 2,669
its the free market man, supply and demand control the price. The big carriers see no need to lower the price since the demand is high enough at their current price. unless the smaller carriers start to grow and cause more competition, the price is going to stay the same or increase


As soon as i graduate and am off my parents plan, i'll prolly either keep my iphone and find a way to not have data to keep it cheap, or just use a flip phone. prices are just ridiculous for individuals
12 years ago
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Dobies.
Posts: 1835 - Karma: 205
yeah dude it fuckin sucks.
12 years ago
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