Woman Gives Up Cell Phone For New Year's
What would you do if you had to part with your cell phone -- even for just a few weeks?
A New York-based comedienne and self-proclaimed "first advocate for moderation in cell phone use" has made this choice willingly, giving up her cell phone for 60 days -- a New Year's resolution.
Amy Borkowsky stopped using her cell phone cold turkey at the stroke of midnight New Year's Eve. According to her Web site, reasons for the mobile fast range from the immediate and social -- such as talking on her phone while out to dinner with a friend -- to the societal. Borkowsky cites recent studies linking cell phone use to cancer, memory impairment and hearing loss.
She's also allotted herself an emergency roll of quarters for making phone calls from pay phones.
So anybody else out there want to follow Amy's lead? What would you do without your cell phone?
From Textually.org.
Related links:
- Free Tools Help You Fulfill Your New Year's Resolutions
- Ringtones To Help Keep Your New Year's Resolutions





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Comments
26
Subscribe to commentsVanGOghEarJan 2nd 2008 8:02PM
phhh..I misplace mine weeks at a time. Not a big deal. I email or message people online.
fordsarebestJan 2nd 2008 8:22PM
Like many military wives my cell phone is my life line. I sleep with it, eat with it, even shower with it well within reach. Kudos to those of you who can do it, but with how little I get to hear from my husband as it is, being limited to less means of communication is impossible.
tponischilJan 3rd 2008 11:12AM
I've been cell phone free for YEARS! I hate them, people give them to me and I just don't ever answer when it rings. I don't like being so accessible to everyone. One can not even make a case for emergencies, as everyone else has one to be used.
WolfsterJan 2nd 2008 8:56PM
Fords, you've got a special case. Most people aren't in that situation. It amazes me that this woman is giving up her cell phone because she doesn't want to talk on it during dinner with another person (which is rude not only to your companion, but everyone in the place). Can't she find the "off" button?
G JJan 2nd 2008 10:22PM
Has any one else seen the report about the phone companies discontinuing pay phones because so many people carry cell phones.
Will SaferJan 2nd 2008 10:27PM
See the Switched story "AT&T to Phase Out Pay Phones By 2009" at http://www.switched.com/2007/12/04/atandt-to-phase-out-pay-phones-by-2009/
G JJan 3rd 2008 9:16PM
I read the artical. No on is supose to use a land phone at work except to call supervision or the police. I work alone most of the night. After heart surgery they wanted me to bring a note from my Dr. every 3 months to carry a phone. Finally I said what are they going to do fire me for not dieing?
Kathleen StumJan 3rd 2008 12:17AM
I LIKED IT BETTER WHEN ONLY DOCTORS AND DRUG DEALERS HAD CELL PHONES. YOU COULD ALWAYS TELL WHICH WAS WHICH.
AmyJan 3rd 2008 12:26AM
I've been without a cell for eight years. I realized that if I need to call, I ust my land line. I think my husband and I Are the only people on earth who don't need or own one. I don't call gobs of people....and bad news always finds you. I do have ON Star for any road emergencies
Diva TylerJan 3rd 2008 1:59AM
I really feel that you are onto something awesome
we live in such an addictive society, we seem to believe that each time a new technology is developed, because of the convenience it provides
we can no longer live without it, we become obsessed with something that at one time, we in fact,did live without; if cell phones were crack, we'd all be crackheads(just an analogy)yes they are a convenience, yes they do help to make us feel safer, but the level of noise pollution has skyrocketed beyond measure. people have become so discourteous in their use of the cell phone. I am so tired of standing in line while someone is laughing like a hyena and discussing the details of "whatever". people visit you to your home and sit at your home while talking to someone else, because it's their phone and they have a right to talk on it, well not in my home! stay in the car and finish your conversation, then ring my doorbell! again yes they are convenient, but with that comes a price, which may be more than any of us are willing to pay. Do your research, studies report,cell phones have radical side effects. I am absolutely proud to know that someone has the fortitude and wisdom to free herself from this matrix, even if it is only for 60 days. how many of you can say the same? So don't try "judging Amy" judge yourself, then see how you measure up. in other words "Don't hate her, imitate her! Kudos to you Amy!!!!!
DonnaJan 3rd 2008 12:36AM
I could give up my cell phone easily. I do carry it everywhere I go, but use it sparingly. It is mostly a security thing for me, in case of emergency - like car breaking down, etc. I'm not one of those people who like to gab constantly, so it is no big deal if I had to give it up. But if I did have to give it up, I would like pay phones to still be available (just in case of emergency). So I certainly don't like the idea of getting rid of pay phones.
LillianJan 3rd 2008 3:36AM
Except for emergencies wish they were never invented
JackieJan 3rd 2008 10:47AM
I think it is a great idea to give it up. I think when I have been with friends and fam, which some Irarely see /spend time with... and they have to tect/talk with people while I am there, makes me feel really like I am not important.
I think more people should find their off button, or if they expect an important call... or have to be available for kids etc... they ought to at least screen and not answer each call. I think it is really something that needs to be highlighted... I dont gab on mine all the time, who are all these people talking to all the time. It is hazardous on the road, and rude rude rude most of the time!
LisaJan 3rd 2008 11:04AM
Cell phones can be so distracting and just plain rude. I am not a big gabber on it. I find that people that spend that much time on it are hiding from themselves. Your mind isn't working if your lips are yacking. I don't use it while driving and would only answer one during a dinner with a friend if it was family. Unless it's an emergency I just say I'll call you back. I had dinner at a diner last week. The cook's cell phone went off constantly. I finally said I have to hear the damn things from other patrons but I don't have to listen to the cooks. I adore it when someone pipes up and tells someone in public to shut up that's on one. Most people on them have no manners so why should I care if they get insulted. Take that cell phone and shove it where the sun doesn't shine.
LisaJan 3rd 2008 11:10AM
Oh yeah and buy the way those of you that say using your cell phone while driving does not hurt your driving is full of crapola. You are the worst ones because you won't even admit it. Someone that admits that it's distracting to use one while driving is a better driver because they are not in denial and take more care. I've been in the car with several people that had no clue how close to accidents they were almost in because they were on the phone. If you asked them how they drove while on the phone they would say no problems. Cell phone addicts need a reality break!
LisaJan 3rd 2008 11:13AM
I had the $@#&ing things. Don't get me started you know how I get! If I pissed you off then you are the one I meant to!
mystyJan 3rd 2008 11:53AM
AS A MOM OF 4 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 10 I NEED MY CELL PHONE AS A LIFE LINE TO MY KIDS. THEY KNOW HOE TO REACH ME ONIT AND I NEED IT FOR THE SCHOOL TO BE ABLE TO CONTACT ME, DOCTORS, ETC. AND I HAVE DIRECT CONNECT TO MY HUSBAND AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. BUT I DO TRY TO BE POLITE AND KEEP IT ON SILENT WHEN I AM OUT. BUT IS ALWAYS ON FOR MY KIDS.SO NO I COULD NOT GIVE UP MY CELL PHONE I WOULD BE AFRAID TO LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT.
mystyJan 3rd 2008 12:09PM
I ALSO FEEL IT IS RUDE TO TALK TO OTHER PEOPLE, WHILE WITH FRIENDS,IN PUBLIC PLACES,I I NEED TO ANSWER THE CALL I SIMPLY EXCUSE MY SELF FOR A MOMENT, AND EXPLAIN TO MY FRIENDS WHY I HAD TO TAKE THE CALL. AND I DO NOT TALK AND DRIVE. IF I HAVE TO ANSWER, I PULL INTO NEAREST PARKING LOT.
mystyJan 8th 2008 12:54PM
I ALSO THINK IT IS A BAD IDEA TO GET RID OF PAY PHONES. NOT ALL KIDS HAVE CELL PHONES,INCLUDING MINE AND HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO REACH SOMEONE IF THEY ARE IN TROUBLE?
RING-A-LINGJan 4th 2008 7:58PM
I havent used my cell phone since Sptember07. The phone co. Tried to screw me and wanted me to commit to 2 more years. Why sould I have to sign my life away for a cell phone ffor 2 years, 1 yr is bad enough. SOOOOOO, I said take your phone and shove it. Guess what I havent missed it. I had to stop and use pay phone 1x to see what family wanted for take out. Ive saved aabout $200.00 already.I figured I lived almost 40 years without one I can do it again, and its a piece of cake.