I found this deep dive into mobile phones and their meanings fascinating, and you've covered here many things I hadn't considered, particularly around the use of them within novels and films. I was reading a book recently and found myself thinking "why hasn't the main character used her phone for that, it seems unrealistic..." then I realised it was set in the early 90's! I hadn't read the blurb closely...so it did make me think that the use of technology within a piece of art can easily date it. I am in a constant quandary of loving/hating my smartphone (as I think many people are). I loved being able to message with my oldest child when they went to University, for example, but constantly worry about my 15 year old seemingly having a mobile gadget in their hands at all times. As an aside, your comment at the beginning about 'I put a lot of limits on my phone use, but this isn’t a mindfulness or productivity post about how I get my writing done...' - this would be something I would love to hear more about in a possible 'how I get my writing done' post!! : )
Fab idea for a Saturday Brunch post! Zadie Smith writes about only using an old Nokia. That doesn't work for me, but maybe understanding through extremes is useful.
So fascinating about the book you were reading! I found that whilst watching Derry Girls, which was so obviously and wonderfully 90s from the start, but then jilted and reminded me how different things were in terms of technology. Really love their use of phones and TV in that series for purpose.
I found this deep dive into mobile phones and their meanings fascinating, and you've covered here many things I hadn't considered, particularly around the use of them within novels and films. I was reading a book recently and found myself thinking "why hasn't the main character used her phone for that, it seems unrealistic..." then I realised it was set in the early 90's! I hadn't read the blurb closely...so it did make me think that the use of technology within a piece of art can easily date it. I am in a constant quandary of loving/hating my smartphone (as I think many people are). I loved being able to message with my oldest child when they went to University, for example, but constantly worry about my 15 year old seemingly having a mobile gadget in their hands at all times. As an aside, your comment at the beginning about 'I put a lot of limits on my phone use, but this isn’t a mindfulness or productivity post about how I get my writing done...' - this would be something I would love to hear more about in a possible 'how I get my writing done' post!! : )
Fab idea for a Saturday Brunch post! Zadie Smith writes about only using an old Nokia. That doesn't work for me, but maybe understanding through extremes is useful.
So fascinating about the book you were reading! I found that whilst watching Derry Girls, which was so obviously and wonderfully 90s from the start, but then jilted and reminded me how different things were in terms of technology. Really love their use of phones and TV in that series for purpose.
Thanks, Kate!