[Macworld]

Post your comments for Withdrawing from the addictive iPhone here

[poochie]

"There are features I’ve really wish I had"

[hmurchison]

I'll happily use my iPhone (when I purchase one) as much as possible with no regrets.

It's no different than any other piece of technology and it doesn't change the essence of who I am in the least. It is merely a tool that allows me to be more well informed.

[fletc3her]

What was the point of this article?

[mrbach]

I am dumber because of this.

[daveedvdv]

IMO, turning to Roger Kay or Rob Enderle is a surefire way to wreck an article about technology.

[Grapho]

So... He stopped using it because he liked it so much? What am I missing. I have an iPhone and what I use it the most for is to make phone calls, can you believe that.

[maxgruv]

Bravo! Speaking as an avid (addicted?) iPhone user, I applaud your efforts. It's amazing how freeing it can be to pick up a real book and put down the technodrug these days.

[jdb8167]

fletc3her said:

What was the point of this article?

I'm pretty sure that the date is April 1st.

[alterbentzion]

The point of this article is that our use of technology has a rightful place in our lives, but it is not life itself.
Your description of the trolley-riders of reminds me of kids I had in summer camp, back when the Nintendo Gameboy first came out. They would wander mindlessly around camp, focusing intensely on their video games. One of my coworkers described it as idolatry.
I should add that I do IT both at work and as a volunteer, but I have neither a cell phone in my pocket nor Internet access at home. I don't have a TV, either. (I DO have hobbies, a family, etc.)

[woodworks]

alterbentzion said:

I should add that I do IT both at work and as a volunteer, but I have neither a cell phone in my pocket nor Internet access at home. I don't have a TV, either. (I DO have hobbies, a family, etc.)

Gee, I have hobbies, a family, etc. I read books, have real conversations with people in meat space, AND I have an iPhone, TV, microwave oven, washer and dryer, and several screwdrivers and two hammers.

What I don't have is some sort of repressed, neo-luddite need to proclaim my virginal purity by bragging about the stuff I don't deign to own. It's not hard to maintain equilibrium between yourself and all the technology that makes life easier and more pleasant. A little less navel-gazing is a good place to start.

[alterbentzion]

woodworks said:

What I don't have is some sort of repressed, neo-luddite need to proclaim my virginal purity by bragging about the stuff I don't deign to own. It's not hard to maintain equilibrium between yourself and all the technology that makes life easier and more pleasant. A little less navel-gazing is a good place to start.

Yikes!

No one's trying to take away your iPhone, and no one's alleging that it's impossible for you - or anyone else - to "maintain equilibrium." But some people do get a bit too attached and/or connected. There's a reason Blackberries are called "Crackberries."

How's about we treat this article like a review for, say, a budget, entry-level photo editor. Those of us who prefer either GIMP or Photoshop Extended can just move on, while those of us who fall somewhere in between can read it and, perhaps, get something out of it. Okay?

[adobephile]

This is total horse dookey.
The iPhone is a tool, nothing else. Any confessed "addiction" to a "thing" or even a "substance" also confesses that the person addicted is not in control of more fundamental aspects of his life.

[Mac007]

What's really needed here is balance. The author should consider limiting the use of technology while increasing personal contact until they find the right equilibrium that works for their lifestyle. Steven Covey is a good read in this regard with his book "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". One must always remember there is a way to balance things in your life and it's called moderation in all things.