this post was submitted on 06 Apr 2026
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Privacy
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Cell phones started to become popular while I was in college. I still have not used one. I have a dumb phone for businesses and institutions that absolutely must call for whatever reason. Everything else can be easily handled on my computer.
Lyft/uber, airlines, hotels? Its nearly impossible to use any of those without a smartphone. Or its a huge hinderance.
I'm convinced most of the people on this instance don't leave their basements !
Huh? I've flown and booked hotels recently and you absolutely do not need a smart phone for that.
Sure, but youll be the one gramps running through the airport with your paper ticket because you didnt see your gate change on the airport TV and you're late. On the phone app, the gate changes alert you immediately.
There's also no way they'll have printed tickets anymore in ~5 years . i havent seen someone use a paper ticket in a very long time, and if I do, they're 85 year olds who can barely walk. (Related note, my younger friend was absolutely baffled I still write checks. They're 26 and never wrote a check in their life).
The normies dictate the market. There's zero way I'd convince my SO or any family member to get a phone that doesnt support flight apps and hotel check in apps. Especially because hotel check in apps can remotely unlock your door with no key, so you dont have to talk to anyone at 3 am when you get there (a lot of people like that).
Except phones get dropped and break. Paper tickets aren't going anywhere.
Until the bean counters realize ticket machines cost too much to upkeep. Its the way the world works.
Same reason there's almost no malls/3rd spaces, or arcades (and the arcades that are left dont use tokens any more) left. Profit above all else. Enjoyment of things and privacy is not profitable.
Everyone has cars where I live. I've never needed a smartphone for a hotel. That sounds like utter nonsense.
And you're right, I haven't flown in decades, nor do I have any desire to, since it sounds like a nightmare.
How do you get around 2FA? I was able to stay off of phones for so long, but the standard 2FA implementation has made it impossible.
I've never been forced to use 2FA except on GitHub. I just ditched it and went to Codeberg.
Ah, lucky. All the banks around me seem to require it now. My kingdom for an independent authenticator they'd accept!