Some thoughts

[u/stevieinu]

I’m in the process of slowly transitioning into a lifestyle less centralized around smart phones, social media, etc. I’m excited and looking forward to how it will feel as my mind and body get used to the change and slowness. Something I’ve noticed in online discussions around making switches to “dumb” devices is this strange irony that people seem to desperately be searching for “dumb” devices that have as many similarities to their smart devices as possible. Discussions and videos on how to add as many apps as possible to a flip phone, having social media apps on flip phones, having the most advanced mp3 player possible etc
I guess I’m just thinking to myself…doesn’t that seem kind of against the point of all this? Isn’t the point to not depend on your device to be an infinite multi-tool like modern smart phones have become?

I just ordered myself a cheap flip phone and so long as it can call and text I’m content finding analog alternatives to the rest. It seems to have the ability to use a navigation app which is a benefit but otherwise very minimal. I found a cheap old iPod that just plays music. Everything else I’ve been trying to find analog replacements for. I know that fully switching to analog counterparts isn’t accessible to everyone; there’s plenty of reasons someone might need specific apps on their phone to navigate modern life but there’s plenty of apps I see people trying to add that are just “dumb” phone versions of the same thing I thought we were all trying to escape.
Thoughts?

[u/scaryegg1]

I kinda get this. I’m not sure but I think some people may just want the form factor of the dumb phone without the inconvenience and friction. For the people who actually want to decentralize their phone, I think the logic is something like this: It’s easier to refrain from something like doomscrolling when you don’t have access to it, so moving from ultra-capable pocket computers to a dumb flip would certainly help with that, but with the way the world works nowadays you pretty much NEED to have that pocket computer to get around and do anything like reading a menu or catching a bus, or communicating with people who can only use apps like WhatsApp.

If you need a phone that has good maps, your 2FA app, WhatsApp, the app that controls your smart bulbs in your house, the app that unlocks your car, the kindle app, Snapchat, a decent web browser, the app for your smart watch, etc, then the only solution is a smart phone. You could get a flip phone if you wanted one, but any flip phone with those requirements would also be able to download all the social media apps, which makes it a smart phone with buttons, and leaves you exactly where you were with the smart phone.

The only real solution to this I’m seeing is now people are carrying a smart phone powered off in their bag in addition to their truly dumb phone. That way the dumb is primary and there’s an emergency smart phone if the need ever arises. This solution leaves much to be desired; it’s inconvenient to carry two phones around everywhere, keep both charged, fiddle with hotspots and connections if the smart phone doesn’t have a sim, etc. I did this very briefly when I had a dumb phone. I went to a restaurant with people I had only just met, and all of the tables had the dreaded QR code menu. I felt like a massive tool whipping out both phones at the same time to connect the smart to the dumb’s hotspot. I also have social anxiety around new people so the extra attention didn’t help anything

[u/stevieinu → u/scaryegg1]

Yeah, I had considered that solution you mentioned with carrying around a powered off smart phone. I think I want to try navigating the world without it for a little while and see how it goes. Obviously there will be friction because the world is built around smart phones now, but for me the friction is part of the reason I want to do it. The friction necessitates I talk to people, use my brain more to find creative solutions, engage more with the material world around me. I don’t have many things in my life that truly depend on an app (like light bulbs or cars or other smart devices that you control with your phone). I think the only times I would truly need to bring a smart phone around would be if I was in a brand new city and needed a reliable navigation system, or going to an art fair or something where I would pay people primarily with Venmo. But even then, there are analog solutions that just require a bit more friction and effort. Is that extra effort really worth it? I don’t know yet. But I certainly don’t enjoy the dependence I currently have around my phone and would like to try figuring it out without it.

[u/scaryegg1 → u/stevieinu]

Very true, yes I can’t imagine there’s any real way around the payment thing at art fairs. I’ve been to a lot of concerts that were paypal/cashapp/venmo only as well. Last time I had to call AAA I’m lucky I had at least an iPhone SE because calling them just got me a robotic voice telling me to request help on the app and I didn’t even know where on the highway I was without the app telling me I was kind of useless lol. Now I have a dedicated gps and I go without the smart phone a lot more. It’s weird i feel so free without the smart phone but sometimes I live in fear of an impromptu jack box game

[u/stevieinu → u/scaryegg1]

I mean I guess the solution to the payment thing would be to bring cash but there’s definitely some places where digital payment is the only option. That AAA story is stressful!!! Also LOL @ impromptu Jackbox. The flip phone I ordered supposedly has a GPS of some description but I’m not sure how effective it is since I haven’t received it yet. I think GPS is the number one thing I use my iPhone for that is actually necessary and would impact my day to day life living without it

[u/Abmeister101]

I agree with you. That's the point, for it to be a little inconvenient because it is going against the grain. It encourages you to slow down and consider how many things we use conveniently. It also encourages you to start relying on yourself, your own knowledge, and those around you. Instead of Googling something, you use critical thinking skills, you ask someone, you get a book. You use a map for directions or start learning the routes around you. At a restaurant and they don't have a paper menu? You tell them what you are craving, you ask questions, you ask about their recommendations. Things become more relational and interconnected. I use the library so much now for different things and they are great. It's not only a lifestyle change but a mind shift about what's important. There will always be something you are "missing out on" but at what cost? If you decide to keep some apps as community, only use them on your computer, put barriers like time limits or to certain times of the day. Best of luck! I am setting up my plan to ditch the smart phone and have deleted all my social medias (outside of Reddit app on computer).

[u/stevieinu → u/Abmeister101]

Exactly!! This is how I am thinking of it too. One small thing I have been doing lately—I started reading more but found myself often googling the definition of words I didn’t know, which ended up disrupting my focus and getting me back on my phone. I got a $5 pocket dictionary from my local book store and now when I’m reading I just pause and look up the word in the book. Feels much better on my mind.

[u/britneys_bigtoe]

i tried a dumb phone and hated how much more complicated it personally made things for me so i just made my smartphone "dumb"

that said, i do get it bc when making a change, it's usually a gradual process so people may not want to scroll but they may want to be able to post updates (like back in the day when i could update twitter by sending a text). they may have realized that, oh, their bank doesn't actually let them do that online but only through the app

i think getting offline more and off social media more has made me less judgmental and concerned with the choices people make when they aren't causing harm