A chunk of good news and a little tech musing

I'm having trouble focusing on what I should be working on... there really is no should be working on right now. Anyway my good news is that I'm starting a new job on Monday. Which means my budget options are about to open up a little. I've mentioned before I'm an economic agnostic, however I still think it's cool to play with options when they are available.

So I've been thinking about possibly ending my fast off of smartphones. Since I have been home and near my tech all the time I have not been able to justify a smartphone. My parents found a basic phone that costs very little a month, in fact we only have to pay them a little every three months.

I'll start with the good reasons to have a smart phone:
Syncing contacts between devices
easy to get maps on the go
searching for stuff on the go/fill in boring moments

So those are good reasons to get a smartphone. However lets start at the tip of the iceberg of problems I have had with smart phones.
1. Carrier choice and monthly fees. I haven't mentioned it but I think that subscription and other monthly costs are some of the most insidious things keeping my generation poor. It doesn't SEEM like much money, 45 dollars a month. However yearly that's a couple hundred. I could buy a new tablet, top of the line, for that kind of money. This is another example of my economic agnostic side cropping up. Yes, I could spend the money elsewhere. I could also not spend the money at all. Engaging in the economy is semi optional.

I also have had a few carrier troubles, mostly with Verizon, AT&T and US Cellular. Most of it comes down to not covering devices they sell. It's a weird relationship to have with a service company. After all most service companies don't provide any support for the products associated with their service. Examples include Windows, internet and other utilities. If your gas stove doesn't work you call a repairman, you absolutely do not involve the people selling you the gas.

2. I was going to include device issues in carrier issues, but I realize it's large enough to be it's own set. I have had a few very reliable phones. However I have gone through a couple lemons. I still think it's a weird concept to include a phone with a computer. I mean, a computer does EVERYTHING the smart phone does, but with better quality assurance. You also don't carry a full computer in your pocket, worry about dropping it (much), or worry about water. It's akin to putting your only microwave under the hood of the car. In a few limited situations I can see how having a microwave on the go with your car would be useful. However it's going to be quite a bit of fun trying to get the microwave repaired, or having to buy a car you don't want because of it's microwave function. In fact it's worse than a car, because a car you can choose not to drive and it costs less, that is not the case with a cell phone.

3. Mental health issues. I have not read as many articles recently on this issue, but for me there are health risks associated with owning a smart phone. Being always connected is mentally taxing. There is also something undesirable about all the apps that track your every single move. I suppose most people manage to forget about it. Yet I still get seriously disturbed when my phone memorizes the route I like to drive home. It remembers my favorite places to eat, shop, and whatever else I do when I have to carry it around like some sort of fucking convict's relationship with the parole board. That's actually a perfect description for what it feels like. It's like having to wear a tracking anklet. I've also noticed that others who own smartphones get mad when I don't carry mine. Too much drama for me.

So, it seems like I still have far more angst about the concept of fancy cell phones than can be overpowered by benefits.