Smartphone Phobia and Nomophobia in RV Life

[Brad Buchanan]

No, the Smartphone itself is NOT the issue! The issue is the near REQUIREMENT to own one these days. It is expected. I cannot use the washing machines in Valley View RV Park when my Smartphone is OFF. Cannot pay a parking meter, cannot charge an EV (in many places). More than ten years ago, I was in an auto-parts store that had no prices, just a sign "for prices, scan barcode".

When on, countless other things too, such as how everybody gets ignored as they use their Smartphone. But Darwin takes care of some of that, but too often innocent people are killed because of Stupid Smartphones users.

I dislike my Smartphone even when turned off, which is its normal setting. Only used when I must. Even to pay some credit cards online I will have to go get the StupidPhone out of the car and wait around five minutes for it to bootup or whatever just to use the stupid thing, where I have NO choice.


I wish I could keep it off. Not being able to keep it off is the main cause of my SmartPhonePhobia.

-Don- Auburn, CA

You should try this new thing called specie.

Works great, you can carry it in your wallet or pocket.

 

[DonTom]

You should try this new thing called specie.

"Specie" is NOT accepted at countless places where a stupid SmartPhone is required.

And that is the main cause of my Smartphone Phobia.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[bigbAZ]

How big is your rv?

25.5 feet

 

[DonTom]

5 minutes to boot up your phone? How old is it! My Samsung Galaxy boots up in a bit less than 90 seconds.

I just timed mine. After 53 seconds, I need to put in my 4-digit PIN From there, another 80 seconds for it to be ready to select an app. around 133 seconds total. Add a few seconds for the pin, so perhaps around 140 seconds for it to be ready to select an app, and then add that time. So it takes a couple of minutes to get it ready to do much of anything useful.

So a little more than two minutes for it to be ready for use.

I usually have no need to keep it on. Email works best for anybody to get a hold of me.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[Brad Buchanan]

"Specie" is NOT accepted at countless places where a stupid SmartPhone is required.

And that is the main cause of my Smartphone Phobia.

-Don- Auburn, CA

Actually I agree with you however if you look at a $20 bill the phrase 'this note is legal tender for all debts, public and private'.

Is it actually legal for a business to refuse legal tender?

 

[Brad Buchanan]

25.5 feet

If our rig was that size I could probably live with drive-in leveling.

Our rig is about 28000 lbs and it would be difficult to level that way.

 

[Brad Buchanan]

I just timed mine. After 53 seconds, I need to put in my 4-digit PIN From there, another 80 seconds for it to be ready to select an app. around 133 seconds total. Add a few seconds for the pin, so perhaps around 140 seconds for it to be ready to select an app, and then add that time. So it takes a couple of minutes to get it ready to do much of anything useful.

So a little more than two minutes for it to be ready for use.

I usually have no need to keep it on. Email works best for anybody to get a hold of me.

-Don- Auburn, CA

All those seconds.....good thing you don't work.

 

[Kirk]

So a little more than two minutes for it to be ready for use.

That isn't a very smart phone. Maybe it is impared. Does it have a handicap emblem on it?

 

[DonTom]

Actually I agree with you however if you look at a $20 bill the phrase 'this note is legal tender for all debts, public and private'.

Is it actually legal for a business to refuse legal tender?

It is not strictly enforced, like many of our laws. Besides, they do accept cash but very indirectly.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[DonTom]

That isn't a very smart phone.

That is why I call it a "stupid smartphone".

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[DonTom]

I downloaded the Li-Time app and checked my new batteries. Kinda neat that I could see the cell balance, SOC, voltage, BMS condition and much more from quite a range. I could check them from inside the house while the batteries are at the far end of the garage. So Smartphones do have some good use.

I just now received my Li-BIM, so I will now finish up my RV. Two 200-AH Li batteries (400 AH total) and a new Gel engine starting battery (no more flooded L-A). The old LA gave me 225 AH total.

BTW, all my old batteries are still good. I am only replacing them because five years is up from the chassis date of 2021,

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[Larry N.]

Some packages are very difficult to open with a knife.

ou should learn to sharpen your knives.

Truly sharp knives usually cut better than most other gadgets, though I'll grant that a pocket size utility knife (mine is 2.5" long when folded, 3.5" open) will usually do better through cardboard boxes, but string, tape, etc. yield quickly to a very sharp knife. Of course an almost sharp knife can have its share of problems, sometimes having to saw through certain cords, for example..

 

[DonTom]

Here is my favorite. Tiny keychain knife about 1 1/2" long with an X-Acto type razor blade. Cuts through heavy cardboard like butter.

Where do you get those from? Does it have a name? Are they still made? I could not find it on Amazon.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[bigbAZ]

Truly sharp knives usually cut better than most other gadgets, though I'll grant that a pocket size utility knife (mine is 2.5" long when folded, 3.5" open) will usually do better through cardboard boxes, but string, tape, etc. yield quickly to a very sharp knife. Of course an almost sharp knife can have its share of problems, sometimes having to saw through certain cords, for example..

My first career was a meat cutter, the 2 things you learn first are 1.keep your knife razor sharp and 2. never cut towards any body parts

 

[Larry N.]

My first career was a meat cutter, the 2 things you learn first are 1.keep your knife razor sharp and 2. never cut towards any body parts

Or towards other people near by... Boy Scouts trained me at a very young age about knife handling- got my "Totin' Chip." Lots of folks got that training over the years, but your's was a special case, literally "risking limbs". My oldest grandson took special culinary training in high school, actually a charter school with that specialty. He's sure a good cook...

 

[TheBar]

Where do you get those from? Does it have a name? Are they still made? I could not find it on Amazon.

-Don- Auburn, CA

Here. And no, they aren't a scam company like everyone believes. And they won't steal your first born child. Many things are good quality. This is where many Amazon\eBay sellers buy their merchandise for resale.

 

[DonTom]

Here. And no, they aren't a scam company like everyone believes. And they won't steal your first born child. Many things are good quality. This is where many Amazon\eBay sellers buy their merchandise for resale.

I know others who have used Temu with no problem, but I have yet to use them.

I recall looking there a year or two ago and they had bidding that seems rather complicated, so I never bothered with them. Most of the money was lost in the bid, so they could advertise very cheap prices on TV, from what I recall. I think that gave Temu a bad reputation and made many people (like me) lose all interest in dealing with them. Have they changed since then?

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[RayIN]

It also wouldn't have been a problem if washing machines hadn't been invented. At what point should technological progress be cut off?

I fail to understand the logic of that statement. There are some people who do not own a cell phone as their preference, and some who carry a simple flip-phone..

 

[NY_Dutch]

I fail to understand the logic of that statement. There are some people who do not own a cell phone as their preference, and some who carry a simple flip-phone..

Don is complaining about laundromats using newer technology that requires using a smartphone to pay to use the machines. He's wishing smart phones had never been invented. I'm just making the point that at some point we need to accept new technology for the good things it does for us. I do understand where he's coming from, I just don't agree with him.

 

[TheBar]

I know others who have used Temu with no problem, but I have yet to use them.

I recall looking there a year or two ago and they had bidding that seems rather complicated, so I never bothered with them. Most of the money was lost in the bid, so they could advertise very cheap prices on TV, from what I recall. I think that gave Temu a bad reputation and made many people (like me) lose all interest in dealing with them. Have they changed since then?

-Don- Auburn, CA

Temu has never had bidding that I know of and I never saw any TV advertisements. The only problems with Temu is everything is made in China (what isn't), therefore some items are poor quality, and many things take 3 weeks to clear customs. But they have a $5 refund if items arrive late. And shipping here in the US has been getting worse.

But the bad outweighs the good. Many times you will find the exact same item on Amazon for 3x as much. I buy it from Temu instead.

Since tariffs were imposed Temu started "games" where you spin a wheel to get coupons etc. but I just avoid those promotional gimmicks. Prices have gone up but they have on Amazon also.