If you think technology’s making things smaller, take a look at the mobile, says an old-timer.
AD: Hey, I tried calling you all of last week — why didn't you take my calls?
BC: You did? Sorry, my mobile is down and I'm using an old mobile that has no contacts, so I never know who's calling.
AD: I guess that explains why you aren't on WhatsApp either...
BC: It’s an old flip phone with no modern technology like Wi-Fi, net connectivity, Bluetooth, apps...
AD: That’s terrible — you must be feeling totally stuck.
BC: On the contrary, I'm perfectly fine with it. It's just the keypad that needs a bit of getting used to.
AD: How can you be happy with a phone that facilitates only calls and messages?
BC: Isn't that what a phone's supposed to do? Besides, this phone has its own advantages...
AD: I'm all ears.
BC: Since it has none of the new-fangled technology, I hardly use it and the charge seems to last forever. Earlier, I had to charge my smartphone every morning.
AD: And now?
BC: I need to charge this mobile just once a week. I can't tell you how liberating it is... There's no fear of the battery dying on you midway through a call.
AD: But that's no big deal — you can charge a mobile anywhere these days — in your car, from your laptop, at the airport or even on trains.
BC: And the old mobile is so sturdy. It has already fallen a few times in the past couple of weeks — there's not even a dent on it and it's working fine. These new smartphones are so flimsy that a little tap somewhere and the screen cracks, or the touch panel goes for a toss.
AD: They're sophisticated, so you need to handle them with care.
BC: I prefer the rugged phones — they are more suited for guys like me. It's not about carelessness — even if there's a little mishap, these modern phones have very little chance of surviving it.
AD: You have butter fingers and yet blame technology.
BC: Look, I can't help it — they are so unwieldy.
AD: What do you mean?
BC: When mobiles came in, the common crib was that they were bulky and huge. Soon, mobiles became sleeker and smaller. Remember that ad for Ericsson mobile?
AD: That 'one black coffee please’ ad? Yes, I've seen it on YouTube.
BC: Things could have stayed that way, but people were keen on using the phone to read text and surf the net, and so the screen started becoming bigger and bigger. Today, a 5-inch screen seems to be the norm.
AD: If it's smaller, you can't...
BC: ...check mail, operate your Facebook account, play games, watch movies... I don’t do any of that. But I find it difficult to handle these large-screen phones and carry them in my pocket. They can slip out any time — and you blame me instead.
AD: But you’re blaming technology…
BC: Think about it… On one hand, technology's trying to make things smaller — the laptop has become smaller and smaller until it's become a tablet in our hands. Handheld video games, CDs, thumb drives — they’re all getting smaller. But mobiles that were small are now getting bigger... I fail to understand the logic when bigger objects are getting more compact while the smaller ones are being blown up.
AD: It depends on the usage and convenience — why blame technology for it?
BC: Well, it's just funny that the latest mobiles now need a watch to operate them.
AD: You got it wrong. That's...
BC: I know, it’s just an accessory… But this whole trend of having an external device to help you operate your mobile could be a dangerous indication of things to come…
AD: Why do you say that?
BC: Well, it could probably mean that one day the mobile is going to get as big as the TV and will need a remote to operate it.
