Ditched my phone 5 years ago, guess I'm one of the few American's unaffected.
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I was tired of paying for a spy device that steals my attention and tries to psychologically condition me.
> How has this impacted your daily life?
I've found that many people are so addicted to there phone that they genuinely can't comprehend how to function without one. I'm lucky to have been around longer than smartphones, and remember how to do these things. For instance, going to someones house and knocking on there door instead of sending a text. Sure one is a little harder and takes more time, but shows you care enough to do it. Sending a text is so easy AI bots do it.
I've had to seek out similar minded people. Most people just can't be bothered with someone who won't conform, so I seek out people who don't require me to have a phone to be my friend. I discovered quite quickly who was a good enough friend to come check on me, and also who I felt was important enough that'd I'd go too there house to see them. It may limit the size of my social circle, but I feel its a stronger relationship because of it.
There are absolutely no drawbacks that I'm aware of.