June 23rd, 2008 - Why I haven’t gotten rid of my cell phone yet
The Good Human has a nice post about why cell phones should be expensive instead of free. I really appreciated that mine was free, however, when we first got cell phones 2 or 3 years ago. It made it easier to switch having a bit less to have to spend on it. When looking at our bill the other week, I noticed that we could get a new phone for me without hassles. I perused the available free phones and left the site without doing anything.
Was I tempted? Sure! My phone is a bit banged up, the camera is barely worthy of the title (it wasn’t a consideration when I got the phone), and I don’t get very good coverage. I know other people’s phones work near my office, but I’m lucky to get reception by the doors–usually I have to walk outside and then wait a minute for it to find coverage. I’d love to have a phone that worked in the hallway at least. Or even in the entrance way. I work in the basement of a library. It’s not terribly surprising that the phone doesn’t work (Did you know libraries are exceptionally reinforced? Books weigh a lot.). I wouldn’t mind except that I see LOTS of students and others using their cells down here so there is coverage. My phone just isn’t powerful enough to find it.
On the other hand, I very rarely use my phone. It’s more of a watch and a timer than anything else. It’s simply not necessary for my to have coverage everywhere. I use less than 30 minutes a month, not counting weekend calls to my parents.
But an iPhone…..think of what I could do with that!
If I do decide to get a new cellphone, The Good Human also suggests a few recycling efforts.