Support NeoGAF

[Trilobit]

There appears to be some kind of renaissance for older tech thanks to smartphone bans in schools. And I'm all for it. It makes me remember my time back in high school right before smartphones appeared. Perhaps this will even inspire Apple to make a new iPod some beautiful day.

The appearance of iPods and cassette players in phone-free schools says a lot about student adaptability when given options. Students started using walkie-talkies instead of phones to stay connected with their peers at one Auckland school, a reminder that the desire to communicate remains strong, while the method can be far less intrusive and addictive. Technology is inescapable, but these examples show we can be more intentional about which tools we prioritize in classrooms.

School Phone Bans Spark Analog Revival: iPods Return

When Bethlehem High School in Upstate New York banned students' cellphones and started offering analog entertainment, it sparked a culture change you could...

smartphones.gadgethacks.com

NY Times also has an article, but it's behind a wall.

Their Schools Banned Phones. Out Came the iPods and Cassette Players.

Enterprising students have been bringing the contraband of yesteryear to school in what they see as a “loophole” in cellphone bans.

web.archive.org

 

[RCX]

Thats kinda cool. I like it.

 

[ForAcademicPurposes]

That is universally stupid if there is an emergency irl.

Just drop it in a box at the principles office. How hard is that people?

 

[MidGenRefresh]

Stupid if there is an emergency, etc.

Just drop that shit in the box at the principles office.

I survived school without a smartphone. If there's an emergency, the teacher can make the call.

Needless to say, I 100% support a smartphone ban at schools.

Here's my iPod:

 

[ForAcademicPurposes]

Okay, leave yourr phone at home and see how you like it now.

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

stupid if there is an emergency etc.

Just drop it in a box at the principles office.

Oh no, how did we ever manage to all survive these "emergencies" growing up without smartphones?

 

[ForAcademicPurposes]

Oh no, how did we ever manage to all survive these "emergencies" growing up without smartphones?

You must have had a boring life. Sorry.

 

[Miles708]

That is universally stupid if there is an emergency irl.

Just drop it in a box at the principles office. How hard is that people?

You call the school, tell them there's an emergency, let you speak with your son.

Other questions?

 

[Trunx81]

This would be perfect. A MP3 player that mimics a Walkman.

 

[ForAcademicPurposes]

You guys showing your age instead of thinking differently.

None of you answered my question either. Why not drop it off with the home room teacher? Are daft? Rhetorical question. I know the answer.

 

[Miles708]

It is possible to live without being constantly glued to a phone 24/7.

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

You must have had a boring life. Sorry.

This just in: kids growing up before smartphones existed exclusively led boring lives!

 

[ForAcademicPurposes]

You took the bait fool.

 

[T8SC]

You took the bait fool.

Is this why you usually just reply to yourself in topics? Because when you speak to others, you sound like an idiot?

 

[Cyberpunkd]

How hard is that people?

Look around you on the street or public transport and you have your answer.

 

[Pimpbaa]

But it isn't analog...

 

[Soodanim]

You must have had a boring life. Sorry.

If not having so many family emergencies that I needed a phone on me at all times while getting an education is boring, then yeah my life was boring as shit

 

[MidGenRefresh]

But it isn't analog...

Yeah, calling it an "offline" device would be more appropriate.

 

[CGNoire]

Okay, leave yourr phone at home and see how you like it now.

I did that for 30 years.....I think Ill be ok.

 

[Dr.Morris79]

The mobile we had in school

...And even that was considered dicey on occasion

 

[DKehoe]

The mobile we had in school

...And even that was considered dicey on occasion

"There are cathedrals everywhere for those with the eyes to see"

 

[jason10mm]

This would be perfect. A MP3 player that mimics a Walkman.

That thing had better transform into a robot that can also get me a beer.

 

[NickFire]

Bring back the yellow Walkman Sony (but make it an iPod in disguise).

 

[Escape Goat]

The mobile we had in school

...And even that was considered dicey on occasion

80085

 

[Cyberpunkd]

I did that for 30 years.....I think Ill be ok.

Boom. And for those of that that did it we know everything tech is just more subscription techbros trying to scam investors.

 

[Nintendo's Witch]

Nature is healing

 

[Cyberpunkd]

You must have had a boring life. Sorry.

Yes, without constant dopamine hits designed by Indian PhD on H-1 visa, constantly thinking how to gain your attention so their WASP boss in his 20s can get richer.

 

[FoxMcChief]

You must have had a boring life. Sorry.

lol

I think it says more about those that need a phone to not be bored.

 

[reinking]

lol

I think it says more about those that need a phone to not be bored.

I am old school. I have times where I will leave my cell phone at home and not be bothered by it. However, I absolutely love having a cell phone available when I am sitting around waiting for something. Adding cell phones to my life has eliminated a ton of boredom.

 

[Trilobit]

Yes, without constant dopamine hits designed by Indian PhD on H-1 visa, constantly thinking how to gain your attention so their WASP boss in his 20s can get richer.

It's interesting watching old movies from the times before smartphones and seeing people exist perfectly fine without the constant dopamine hits. People were stimulated enough by normal life, as humans have been for many thousands of years. If they were bored on a train they might use their imagination and think about stuff. That option to let the brain breathe has virtually disappeared from people's lives as they are too digitally addictive. Sure, everyone has the option to just shut off their smartphones, but they are basically ingeniously designed with apps to hook you.

So I think showing kids that they can exist without being digitally connected and stimulated 24/7 is a good thing. And discovering monofunctional devices like iPods might help them be more in the moment and solely focus on music for example. Not to mention them probably being more social with one another.