An easy $149,000

[springyzone]

I don't know if any of you saw an online article yesterday. (I don't have the link) 

I nearly choked on my cup of tea.

Some agency in US I think it was, offered $149,000 to anyone willing to go one year without their smart phone. No messages, calls, no looking up social media or addresses, no browsing the internet on it etc

They had about 100,000 applicants and chose one woman who is now in about month 8.

At first I thought-yes, it would be a bit hard not to use the internet, but you know what, for $149k in one year, I'd do it.

Here's the real kicker though. It only applies to a smart phone!

The person was actually given a flip phone so they could still make calls or receive messages.

They are still allowed to access the internet etc on a laptop or normal computer, just not on a smartphone.

I would romp it in as I only got a smart phone recently anyway and prefer a computer or laptop or ipad.

Is modern life so hard that people actually could not exist without their smart phone?

[snow*jewel]

I would find it hard doing it a week let alone a whole year.

[bright.ton42]

But what did people do before smart phones?

Use phone boxes  (remember them?)  if away from home i suppose.  

[snow*jewel]

---

@bright.ton42 wrote:

But what did people do before smart phones?

Use phone boxes  (remember them?)  if away from home i suppose.  

---

Yep, I recall the phone boxes.

Have you ever watched people in public? They are always on their smart phones.

Walking up the escalators, waiting in Dr's. It's an epidemic lol. 

[domino-710]

Certainly makes one wonder where Superman changes these days. 

[snow*jewel]

[springyzone]

I remember at my daughter's wedding a few years back. I looked across the table and 2 of the nieces were sitting there on their smartphones.

I use my phone occasionally too, but I think it is a shame so many young people don't seem to be able to actually live in the moment, maybe chat to other people if they are out. Or look in shop windows, watch the traffic, see what is around them. Life is passing them by and they aren't seeing it.

[snow*jewel]

I believe my oldest child is one of the worst offenders.

Rang him the other day and he answered and said he was in the shower.

I said I will ring you back later. 

One of my pet hates is people using it when eating at the table. It feels rude.

People don't even realize they are doing it, it's just such a habit now. 

[lyndal1838]

One of my pet hates was when I was put on hold so my children could take another call.

I soon cured them of that.....as soon as they said they would put me on hold to take the other call I just hung up.

They soon got the message not to mess with Mum......she was on the phone first.

I miss the old corded phone.....it was much more satisfying to slam the receiver down when annoyed.  Somehow pressing the button is not the same.

[domino-710]

You're right - but I have been known to loudly express ' slam ' - then press.

Less invigorating - but works - somewhat. 

[tasfleur]

"You're right - but I have been known to loudly express ' slam ' - then press"