Let me quote a friend of mine who used to be a security guard: "In the days before cell-phones we would tackle thieves and be unable to call 911 while holding them down! It was awful!" In other words, it was very inconvenient not to have them, but you survived. Cell phones help improve quality of life 1000% though.
I remember when I thought a Pager was so awesome and high-tech. And then the initial cell phones game out in my early 20's, and I got one just in case I needed to call someone. But now it's is quite amazing what they can do. Honestly, I find myself wanting to get rid of my smart phone. It takes time to ease off all of the apps that I use regularly, but I am finding myself find other ways to fill those gaps in. I think it distracts me too much having all that information with me every second of the day.
I really couldn't picture living without my cellphone. It's really like my world in the palm of my hand. It must of been hard for people that lived before our time, because I really can't pinpoint it. Once you actually start thinking about how much you use your phone, you really start to notice how important it is. From subconsciously checking your phone every morning, to being in a dire situation where you need to make a phone call - it truly runs your life. Amazing how connected we are to technology nowadays.
