Reach out and touch someone

Ever since I read the article “Don’t hate the phone call, hate the phone” (Bogost, 2015), I have had the AT&T jingle “Reach out, reach out and touch someone” in my head. Not only was that a nostalgic glimpse into my youth, but it got me thinking more about the ways in which I use my phone to “touch” multiple people, in a variety of ways, throughout each day.

My husband would say I have a love affair with my cell phone and after reading the Deloitte survey (2016) one might think that I am a British mobile user between the ages of 18-24. I am hyperconnected throughout the day via text, messaging, and e-mail – all accessed through my phone. When we need to know information right now I just say “OK Google” and find us the answer. I end my day playing games and start each day looking at my phone, and I never turn it off. I am seriously considering the need to update my phone simply for the reason that it no longer supports the Dunkin’ App. We have a landline, with a wall phone because it still works when the power goes out, but I never answer it because if someone really wants me they know to call my cell. It’s the only number I ever give out.

My husband, on the other hand, barely knows the purpose of a cell phone. He still has a flip phone, hardly ever has it turned on unless he is expecting a call, and he hates to text. This is not to say that he is not technologically savvy. He is the moderator on a well regarded tool company forum and he is the one our neighbor calls whenever she needs IT help (she can’t find her imported pictures – again, the printer won’t print, Skype isn’t working) but he just doesn’t see the need to use a smart phone when his computer suffices and he would rather talk to someone instead typing a text.

Bogost (2015) says, “One of the ironies of modern life is that everyone is glued to their phones, but nobody uses them as phones anymore”. Again one might think I was one of the Millennials who are reported to think that phone calls are “intrusive” and make “unbidden demands for someone’s undivided attention”. This is exactly how I feel. But let’s put it into perspective. I am working 2 jobs and I am a student. My time is very limited and it is much easier to make simple contact via text than it is to make a phone call which as anyone knows can lead into much more conversation than just confirming “I’ll meet you there at 8:00”. On a regular basis I am texting the parents and teachers of my speech kiddoes to arrange for therapy, coordinating with another local librarian, contacting my assistant at the library, and coordinating with members of various church related groups – and these do not include any personal contacts that I may be making. Even as I’m writing this I am engaged in an ongoing FB Messenger with a teen about an upcoming youth retreat I am coordinating.

Bogost (2015) also comments on the changes in phone styles over time and how today’s smartphones actually are not that good for making calls.

It’s very true that the hand set on this phone was much better for hearing the speaker and you could have those extra long cords so you could still walk around while you talked with it propped between your shoulder and your ear so that you could use your hands. As he also mentions, calls were also typically made in a more private setting so that there was not as much noise competition.

I don’t know if the divide between my husband and myself is based on our upbringing but there is a definite difference between our families in general regarding use of technology. My in-laws are 10-17 years older than my parents, with the distinction of them having lived during the Depression and World War II and my parents being Baby Boomers. My husband grew up in the “country” while I was more of a “city girl” who grew up on Long Island. My in-laws have a cell phone for use in emergencies but they still have this phone hanging on their kitchen wall. They have never owned a computer although they have asked us to look up information for them.

On the other hand, my family has always been on the cutting edge of technology. My parents had computers before I did and they have always had better internet infrastructure than we have. My niece and nephew (ages 7 and 9 ) have never known a world without smart phones and they could swipe to find what they desired before they were 2. They have always been somewhat disappointed with my lack of videos and games on my phone but now do enjoy playing all the levels I have unlocked on Candy Crush. They don’t yet have phones of their own, but they do text me on whoever’s phone they can get their hands on.

Using our phones is how my family “reaches out and touches” one another. We are in group chats frequently and share pictures about everything we do and whatever the kids accomplish. My mother and I have had an ongoing tradition for almost 10 years where we will text when certain songs are played on the radio. My son thinks we are crazy for continuing it but it’s a way to keep in touch and I love it when I get a text that says “Surrender” or “I Hate Myself” .

During football season I spend my Sundays in continuous texts with my brother and father about how much the Jets suck and we should become Bills fans (but honestly we have invested in too much green clothing to make that switch). My friend Mary has Red Zone so she texts about every game that is on. It’s all a matter of keeping in touch.

In my side of the family each person is invested in wearable technology, with each of the 7 of us from age 7-74 having a fitbit. They are so used to playing music through a Smart Speaker that my sister-in-law literally said “Alexa play Happy Birthday” when I had my cake this year. (Alexa also responds whenever the kids say “Aunt Lisa” but that’s another story).

I connect on Social Media primarily on Facebook although I also have Instagram and Twitter accounts. What a wonderful way to have reconnected with so many people from my past and grow new connections! Again, I am going for simplicity. I only have time to deal with one of them on a regular basis and since I am managing 5 other FB pages that’s my go-to. The library and church pages are linked to our Twitter accounts so I only have to post in one place. People are able to contact us via those media, and although I would like to make our library website more interactive, people do have the ability to e-mail us through the site. We have a few tweens/teens who are within walking distance of the library who will hang out on the porch to use the wifi in the warmer temperatures but they don’t typically come in to use it during the colder months. We need to find a way to make better connections with them.

It’s technology’s world and we are living in it. We just need to remember to “reach out and touch someone” in some way throughout the day.

References

Bogost, I. (2015). Don’t hate the phone call, hate the phone. The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/08/why-people-hate-making-phone-calls/401114/

Deloitte Survey. (2016). How do today’s students use mobiles? Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/public-sector/articles/how-do-todays-students-use-mobiles.html#

Media

1980s wall phone. Retrieved from https://www.allegromedical.com/daily-living-aids-c519/cortelco-traditional-mini-wall-phone-p560608.html?CS_003=9164468&CS_010=ff80818124a5c0080124a74b685b00ac&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrcqx4IWt4QIVBI3ICh1zkw9lEAQYASABEgJsRfD_BwE#124A-74B6889

AT&T Ad. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt6DvapiK-w

I Hate Myself for Loving You (Joan Jett). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpNw7jYkbVc

Surrender (Cheap Trick). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqB9lhHqmsE