[tweedledot]

> The world has moved on

Movement is not self-justifying. Have you weighed the pros and cons of what movement there has been in the last 5 years due to smart phones?

>traditional cellular phone and SMS system is only slightly more useful than the telegraph (especially outside of the USA).

I can phone or message almost anyone in the world at any moment. Have we forgotten what a magical power that is? Countering your last statement, I count myself lucky to live outside the US , where a smartphone-free life is still very practical for more than just a few die-hard holdouts (a bit like car ownership).

[kstenerud]

> Movement is not self-justifying.

Nothing is self-justifying.

Things move. You either move with them and adapt, or they leave you behind.

[tweedledot]

Or I can decide that “forward” is bad and go somewhere else. Let’s not forget that those pushing apps and smart devices care only for sales and profits.

[kstenerud]

Of course you can, just like the homesteaders. Nobody is going to stop you; they'll just leave you behind.

[tweedledot]

Ironically, it’s very easy to literally overtake a phone zombie, whether on foot or by car.

[_npe3]

Comments like these really reinforce how happy I am to not have to live in the US of A.