When you're "phone-free" but you aren't, and a case for discipline

I was fascinated by this recent story of a fellow who runs a Silicon Valley startup, yet doesn’t own or carry a smartphone (or, indeed, any mobile phone).

Certainly, there are parts of the narrative that sound appealing. He speaks of thinking more clearly, and rediscovering peace.

But–but!–he does confess that he makes occasional use of companions’ phones in order to function in society. He gives the example of asking a friend to order him an Uber ride. He further says he needs a phone and uses a friend’s “four or five times a month.”

Well, weekly usage is sparse usage, to be sure, but it isn’t “phone-free.”

It also reminded me of taking a guys’ family trip several years ago, on which my uncle didn’t have a smartphone. “Never needed one,” he said. Well, it became clear that he “never needed one” because he was all the time calling out to the car “hey, one of you look up x” or “somebody find out where we check into the show” or…yeah. Not phone-free either.

I love having all of this technology at the ready. I have no interest in going phone-free. But perhaps there is something to be said for discipline. I think I look at it similarly to the blogging question of which I’ve occasionally written. Am I doing something more because I want to do it, or more because I can blog about it? It’s a blurrier line than you might think.

Am I using my phone to help me do something I want to do? Or is my phone the something I want to do?

The latter doesn’t sound right, does it? I might need some rules.

Any readers tried any sort of usage regimen with your mobile technology? I would love to hear your stories.

When you’re “phone-free” but you aren’t, and a case for discipline

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