Smartphone Phobia and Nomophobia in RV Life

[DonTom]

I can't see living without a smart phone.

That sure sounds like you have a bad case of Nomophobia.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[DonTom]

When we travel to Mexico our Spanish is OK for the basics but we get lost real quick when more detailed conversation is needed

I had trouble at an ATM machine in Mexico. Can your Smartphone fix that issue?

Even right next to the USA border, ATMs in Mexico are in Spanish only. And I have enough trouble with English!

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[bigbAZ]

I had trouble at an ATM machine in Mexico. Can your Smartphone fix that issue?

Even right next to the USA border, ATMs in Mexico are in Spanish only. And I have enough trouble with English!

-Don- Auburn, CA

Yes, there's an app for that. Or just go to a translator site and type/speak it in.

 

[Arch Hoagland]

Well I didn't think they could have invented anything better than sliced bread when it came out.

Look at us now!

 

[DonTom]

Yes, there's an app for that.

Should I assume the app takes less time than my guesses of what buttons to press? BTW I did get a couple of hundred Mexican Pesos out of the ATM machine. But perhaps with my lucky guesses.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[DonTom]

Yes, there's an app for that. Or just go to a translator site and type/speak it in.

Thanks, I just downloaded Google Translate. Looks like it could be very useful the next time I am in a foreign country.

Maybe there is hope for me--to get over my Smartphone Phobia.

Perhaps the next step for me will be Nomophobia.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[Seilerbird]

Thanks, I just downloaded Google Translate. Looks like it could be very useful the next time I am in a foreign country.

Maybe there is hope for me--to get over my Smartphone Phobia.

Perhaps the next step for me will be Nomophobia.

-Don- Auburn, CA

Every Google phone has Translate built in.

I think the stupidest thing I could do is to be separated from my smartphone. Over 60 years old you should be required to own one. Fall detection alone makes it worth its weight in gold. And plus the fact that it is impossible to be lost if you become lost. And not having to search for a pay phone in emergency.

 

[NY_Dutch]

Every Google phone has Translate built in.

I think the stupidest thing I could do is to be separated from my smartphone. Over 60 years old you should be required to own one. Fall detection alone makes it worth its weight in gold. And plus the fact that it is impossible to be lost if you become lost. And not having to search for a pay phone in emergency.

My daughter insists I wear a medical alert device with fall detection on a lanyard around my neck, but I certainly agree with your post.

 

[Seilerbird]

What is scary to me is that I am being super careful and I almost fall about once a week.

 

[TheBar]

Every Google phone has Translate built in.

I think the stupidest thing I could do is to be separated from my smartphone. Over 60 years old you should be required to own one. Fall detection alone makes it worth its weight in gold. And plus the fact that it is impossible to be lost if you become lost. And not having to search for a pay phone in emergency.

And it can remind you where you live and what your name is.

 

[NY_Dutch]

What is scary to me is that I am being super careful and I almost fall about once a week.

Since my last stroke in 2023, my physical and occupational therapists have gotten me from a walker to a quad cane, and for the last year, to a straight cane. I don't move without my cane, but I too have some close calls now and then. It was a fall that ultimately led to my wife's death, so I try to be extra careful.

 

[TheBar]

What is scary to me is that I am being super careful and I almost fall about once a week.

Same here. But cutting down on my alcohol consumption helped a lot.

 

[Wasillaguy]

Granddaughter is 13, grandson 14, and they have never had smartphones.
She wants one, he couldn't care less.
She's into writing and poetry and art.
He's into trucks and dirt bikes and all things mechanical.
We all grew up and lived most of our lives without smartphones, yet it seems most of us are smarter than the 30-somethings who have had them since they were teens.

 

[bigbAZ]

There may be hope for me, yesterday I was working out in the garage and I put my phone on the bench. Just noticed this morning it wasn't on my desk meaning I went about 15 hours without missing it! Course 8 or 9 of those hours I was asleep

 

[Seilerbird]

Same here. But cutting down on my alcohol consumption helped a lot.

I don't drink a drop of alcohol so I can't cut down.

 

[DonTom]

. And plus the fact that it is impossible to be lost if you become lost. And not having to search for a pay phone in emergency.

There are other ways to deal with such things, and I prefer those. GPS units, Spot Messenger, in-Reach etc. I do not leave home without that stuff.

I also carry a Smartphone, but it is rarely turned on--only when I must.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[NY_Dutch]

There are other ways to deal with such things, and I prefer those. GPS units, Spot Messenger, in-Reach etc. I do not leave home without that stuff.

I also carry a Smartphone, but it is rarely turned on--only when I must.

-Don- Auburn, CA

All of those functions are available on various phone brands and models. No need to lug more stuff than necessary.

 

[DonTom]

All of those functions are available on various phone brands and models.

Yes, but I prefer the real GPS units, etc.

No need to lug more stuff than necessary.

I always take a backpack on motorcycle rides and hiking. That backpack is in a car when I am driving.

If I am staying around home (short walking distances) then I carry none of that stuff.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[Wasillaguy]

AI, at this point, is more accurately described as a concensus generator. The algorithms don't actually form any independent evaluation of a subject. They look at the most popular views/conclusions on a given subject/event and provide a synopsis of those.
The problem, as I see it, is that it not only disincentivizes research, but also discernment and even thought.
Why think about it? The answer is right here in this echo chamber of popular opinion.
Bad enough right there, but then you add in that algorithms are probably tweaked by those who build them to reflect their biases or those of their clients, and you have a very powerful and dangerous propaganda platform.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

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

-Don- Auburn, CA

All this discussion seems to be related to a misuse of terms: a "phobia" is a fear of something - what we seem to be discussing is a "misia", which is a hatred of something...