One of the things that has changed in the last 4 years is how people communicate.
I've learned this:
-if you want to hear back quickly from someone, DON'T call them, text them.
-people won't answer the phone if you ring, but they'll text you back immediately.
Texting seems to be how people communicate these days. Something that, 7 years ago, was only done by the 'young' people. The cool and hip folks were texting, but I never got into it.
It seems to be like such an inefficient form of communication in all but one way, it doesn't interrupt what your'e doing.
Except that it does. Everyone seems to be a slave to their phones in their pockets. If it chimes, or beeps they stop what they're doing, stop what they're saying and check their phone.
It's call FOMO "fear of missing out".
I see people walking around staring at their phones, and I have to wonder if the pedestrian fatality rate has gone up, because as they're walking around oblivious to their surroundings, so is the driver who is texting at the stop light, then realizes the light's been green for a while and guns it.
When those two people meet… LOOKOUT!
It's funny because when coming back to the U.S., missionaries used to have to get a home, and a car, as their first priorities.
Now they need to get a smartphone, a Facebook account and THEN a home and a car.
I've gotten more communiques via Facebook messages and texting than any other way (email is not nearly as popular as it once was).
I rarely Facebook while in PNG, but here it seems like a life line… If I don't log into Facebook I'm missing people trying to get in touch with me, and talk to me, etc.
I fully understand the temptation to be always online with your smartphone. I met a guy who was collecting old smart phones to give to missionaries at discount rates, because it really is that crucial to have one these days.
I answered an email from a friend the other day asking for help in the cell phone choosing because of all the options, which was ironic to me because I just myself figured out all the new tech.
So if you're a new furloughing missionary here are some tips:
-a smartphone and a personal hotspot (aka mywi) are not often going to be the same device
-there is technology that blocks you from using your smartphone as a mywi device. You have to purchase a mywi type of data account from your provider
-there are a LOT of pre-paid or month-to-month providers you can look into (I recommend consumer cellular, they have good customer support, and they use the AT&T network for coverage).
-there is a new speed of network connection called 'LTE' which is VERY fast. It explains why everyone is using their smartphones now.
-If a provider says 'unlimited data' they almost never mean it. Read the fine print.
-IF you're not in the country for more than a year, most discounts and services to you aren't available. For example, everyone has iPhones because they signed a 2 year contract and got it for free or for a discount. However YOU won't be able to get that because you're not able to sign a 2 year contract. The best thing you can do is get an unlocked GSM phone and put a new SIM in it. Check with friends and family and see if they can give you their old cell-phones.
-Most people here don't know the ins and outs of their phones or home wifi. They have so many choices and so much technology available that they tend to go with the best price and best provider and then everything just works for them, so many of them will not know if their phone is GSM or QUAD band or unlocked or takes a sim, or anything. So you will have to do your own research on that.
-For around $5 you can purchase carrier unlock codes, so just because someone gives you a used phone and it doesn't work with your new SIM isn't enough reason to throw it out. With a little patience and work, you can turn that old useless phone into a great phone for your tween.
-The teenagers all have smartphones. Your kids may want one too. Mine do. Doesn't mean they'll get one. They'll likely want iPhones as well. Both my kids want an iPhone but they acknowledge they are not going to be given a $600 portable device of any kind unless medically mandated by multiple doctors. (such as a hearing aid, or pacemaker).
-There is a new home wifi speed. You've heard of A/B/N now there is AC and it's up to 1Gbps! But don't be too enamored, none of your old electronics will work with it. It's 5ghz
-If you want to setup home wifi, you might be able to find a used WAP from someone wanting to upgrade to AC.
-Lots of people aren't getting cable tv any more. However cable tv (or satellite) is still the only way I have found to watch live sporting events. You can watch select teams and games online but you'll have to buy a special membership to get the 'streaming internet feed'. So in the end, going 'internet' only for television really only saves money for non-sports enthusiasts.
In the end, my impression of all this wonderful technology is that I love it!!! I absolutely love that it's available and there are multiple ways to communicate.
But the side effect is, that people don't seem to pay as much attention to small details, and they also seem to be rather oblivious to their surroundings. Not to mention having shorter attention spans.
I'm left to wonder how much of that is just me getting older?
I ask this question. If you're sitting in a quiet, relaxing place, you've put your feet up, you're comfortable…. is your first thought 'I should do something on my phone?' or is it 'I'm enjoying the quiet I think I'll sit here and think for a while.'
I think people need to pursue silence. It used to just come naturally in a day. But now we live in a world of distraction. Distraction is all around you, whenever you want it. God created a day for rest, which indicates we have a need for pause, for reflection, for rest. I'm wondering if these electronic devices are robbing us of that. Any momentary silence can be broken when that 'incoming tone' gets your adrenaline wondering what it could be? The FOMO kicks in and the calm moment is lost.
Then again, plugging our kids into these devices may create more 'moments of silence' than we would otherwise have, and so I have no judgement for people who hand their kids iPads and say 'play a game, I need some peace and quiet.'
It'd be great for traveling too. Maybe we could compromise and have the kids google the lyrics to sing along songs for the car trips!
