Once among the most ubiquitous pieces of technology on Earth, old school, wired-and-jacked telephones are disappearing.
But are we being a little hasty here?
Theyre now cooler than smartphones
Old phones are inherently interesting and becoming rare enough to be outre.
Making calls on an avocado-colored princess phone with a curly cord and dialer is juststylish.
It says, I have better things to do than stare at a black rectangle all day.
So if youre a twee hipster, you gotta get one.
But landline phones are most valuable to people who likely have no idea what twee hipster means.
Theyve had that number forever, and its like, What do you do?
Another place where the landline shines is for small businesses.
Its super interesting to see that new businesses are getting it, Graham said.
There is an intrinsic value in the simplicity of a work phone.
If youre a barista and need to answer the phone, its always there every time.
Off the top of my head:
You wont ever lose it.
The screen never cracks.
You wont have to buy a new one every two years.
You will never need to charge it.
No one will steal it.
You will not crash your car because you are using a landline phone.
you’re free to buy an old phone on eBay for like $30.
An iPhone costs around a grand.
You will not be contributing to the downfall of human civilization.
Let me expand on that last point.
All this happened in the last decade.
Since 2011,rates of depression and suicideamong teenagers have skyrocketed.
I spend too much time looking at my phone.
Everyone does.This is by design.
But you dont have to do it.
Youll just use it to talk to people.
Thats all its for and all it does.
Were all just so obsessed with looking at our black slate that we never really look outwards.
