Primary reason for cell phone(s): I used to be on call for work so they had to have a way to message me (and they were too cheap to provide one). Now the biggest annoyance is many companies forcing us to use phones as "second factor authentication". I found it amusing when I went to the bank to withdraw some cash and they wanted to send me a code on my phone to verify that I was myself. I had to explain to them that I do NOT carry a cell phone around while shopping / running errands.
A SWAT attack is when someone fakes a 911 call from your phone number and the police break in your doors and storm your house (at 1 AM in the morning while you are sound asleep - okay, technically they could do one at any time of day).
Got it - thank you for elaborating John. I run into this issue a lot as well with 2FA. I was able to get it to work on a landline. Zoom / google voice phones (can run on a computer) also can work for 2FA, however not for certain applications like govt websites.
Whenever possible I opt for a different method of second factor authentication, but I think I've still got two or three accounts where there is no other option.
Oh wow! I cringe that I am listening to this on my slave device ~ but learning and growing! I know the time is coming soon that this form of communication will not be available to me as I will not comply with the coming agenda.. thanks for the inspiration!
All good Suzy! At least you're honest. I'll try to include an audio embed on future articles that can be downloaded. Glad that we could inspire you (: All about those little steps.
John - i read your bit about the swat attack - but really, how likely is that? i had a landline my entire life when living in "civilization". i would get another immediately if i could. but in this 10 yr old rented home, they did not put in copper, and now big telecom (ATT) is doing their best to dismantle the landline system, which is the only disaster-resistant communication mode; it works even during power outages.
It's not common. Since it happened to me and I don't wish to ever repeat that experience, I no longer have a landline (and haven't for about nine years now).
In general, I'd say if you don't work in cyber security and thus aren't going to tick off and draw the ire of the criminals then you are pretty safe. For those of us involved in such things, while it isn't frequent, it certainly is common.
What really annoyed me was that *after* the incident the police were clueless about what a SWAT attack was and treated me like I was the criminal (for actually defending my own home).
wow. well, i get it that in your line of work it could be an issue - also for police officers, judges, politicians and maybe even AI execs (!) what an increasingly whacko world.
Hi Deb, yes I have...I don't have one, but I know ppl who do. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't have an auxillary jack for headphones...there was another thing about it tied to how it searches, can't think of it now, but will try to remember and get back to you. Hope to do a podcast with Hakeem in the near future.
I use a small mp3 player with a speaker when I'm on a run or even put it in my pocket if I'm doing stuff around the house. There's no data, nor gps, no connecting to cell towers, only small sd card. Their about $6 a piece. Weighs same as a small pen. The main problem is charging only runs for 45 min. They are so small you can easily bring a few with you. The controls sometimes work strangely, like volume higher makes it lower and silly stuff like that.
I saw the video. Seems like lots of people will still choose to communicate with the big tech apps even when using the phone. The Freedom Phone was not so secure was it?
☞ Why are Agencies leaving this guy alone? I suspect there will be a back door to being monitored and Hakeem must be in on it. TPTB will leave small game alone but surreptitiously track and bag anyone of large stature who might be trouble. The bagged people will just disappear, there will be no blame on the phone. Perfect Intel operation.
Good call on the Freedom Phone. I'm not sure about Hakeem, he seems like he has good intentions, but don't know him personally. This is why I like the no phone approach, as it gets to the root of the issue - tracking us all with these mobile devices. It doesn't matter how pretty or "free" your chain is, it's still a chain.
I have one and It's still a compromise as all calls and texts are through one's provider, I did go through Iphone withdrawal for a few weeks, as the ease of that one continually nudges further engagement and I was used to it from habit. When I close my gallery, by years end I plan of ditching it too :)
Hakkem has and is doing a great job with decentralization. I now have open source accounting soft ware runs locally. Lots of open source options being created to use instead of the APs and Cloud based ones.
Thanks for sharing that Susan. When you say all calls are through one's provider, sorry I'm a bit confused, but isn't that how it normally works? Recently I was able to set up zoom & google voice (I know it's google) using an e-sim card on an old iphone for Bohdanna (no carriers involved, only a data plan that you purchase from an e-sim provider).
Having discovered what was making me sick (a couple of years ago), and investing in a Safe Living RF meter, and jettisoning everything that was not in the 'slight to moderate' zone of my meter, I came home last week to see Australia's NBN (national broadband network) had installed an antenna on the roof of my neighbour's property - not 20 meters from the wall of my house. And, because his house is lower down the slope than mine, the antenna is level with my living area. One swoop with my RF meter and it confirmed what my frazzled brain was telling me - that the level for my entire back yard was extreme. My property went from a safe zone into unlivable, so I let my neighbour know his tech was trespassing on my property - and he was decent enough to turn it off (and source a tp link that many of us use), but it is akin to living with a loaded gun pointed at your head. NBN cares not a wit about health and safety - and neither does today's Australian government (despite a Senate 'Inquiry into Electromagnetic Radiation' reported on in May 2001). The problem - then and now - is in part because this stuff comes under Communications and IT - and not Public Health (25 years ago the recommendation was to shift it from tech to health but the fox - then and now - is gonna have none of that). So again we are forced to try and move somewhere 'safer'.
One of my favorite past times is to sit at a park across from my house and to sit on a little hill and stare at the sky doing open eyed meditation. Best part is I can do it anywhere, anytime when I am bored and have nothing to do, looking at a phone is the last thing I ever want to do.
I always enjoy your articles. They are so well written, fun to read and the way you write is captivating! I am catching up on some of them. Very often I share them with patients, friends and family!
I am so glad you ditched the smart phone.
It is wonderful not to have it these days - for all the reasons you mentioned!!!
You are not paying them for destruction (cell phone companies)
Plua, you are so much more connected to actual people around you without any distractions, being upset, being pulled away by some feed, news, instant message, etc.
I have not missed the smart phone. I ditched it three years ago. The best decision.
- I do still need to invest in a better quality camera to take photos and videos.
- Sometimes people can get a bit annoyed I do not have text messages as not so many people check email daily or several times a day so communication is an issue sometimes. But we always solve it by discussing the best way to connect.
We should start a club - Living Without A Smart Ass Phone :) And living is good!
Wish you all the best!
The interview that we did back in Feb was watched by more than 600 people!
Thanks for this timely post Roman. I'll explain why the next time we talk.
Thank you Kyle. Yes let's talk soon - this week is pretty open Wed/ Thurs, will send you a message.
Although I own a cell phone (actually two), I barely use it. And it always travels powered off in a faraday bag.
After being the victim of a "SWAT" attack, I will no longer have a hardwired home phone. (never use phones anyway)
Good to hear that you barely use them - did you get them mainly for emergencies?
And sorry but what is a swat attack...like the police coming to your house from a hoax caller?
Primary reason for cell phone(s): I used to be on call for work so they had to have a way to message me (and they were too cheap to provide one). Now the biggest annoyance is many companies forcing us to use phones as "second factor authentication". I found it amusing when I went to the bank to withdraw some cash and they wanted to send me a code on my phone to verify that I was myself. I had to explain to them that I do NOT carry a cell phone around while shopping / running errands.
A SWAT attack is when someone fakes a 911 call from your phone number and the police break in your doors and storm your house (at 1 AM in the morning while you are sound asleep - okay, technically they could do one at any time of day).
Got it - thank you for elaborating John. I run into this issue a lot as well with 2FA. I was able to get it to work on a landline. Zoom / google voice phones (can run on a computer) also can work for 2FA, however not for certain applications like govt websites.
Whenever possible I opt for a different method of second factor authentication, but I think I've still got two or three accounts where there is no other option.
I have long thought that is one of the ways they will drag us into the matrix.
Yes, I doubt many people realize they are worrying about the wrong things. Cell phones are one of the greatest threats to freedom (and health too).
they cant if we dont comply.
anything that requires a cell as 2fa, i avoid or quit. first of all, on principle. second of all i have no cell period.
Oh wow! I cringe that I am listening to this on my slave device ~ but learning and growing! I know the time is coming soon that this form of communication will not be available to me as I will not comply with the coming agenda.. thanks for the inspiration!
All good Suzy! At least you're honest. I'll try to include an audio embed on future articles that can be downloaded. Glad that we could inspire you (: All about those little steps.
John - i read your bit about the swat attack - but really, how likely is that? i had a landline my entire life when living in "civilization". i would get another immediately if i could. but in this 10 yr old rented home, they did not put in copper, and now big telecom (ATT) is doing their best to dismantle the landline system, which is the only disaster-resistant communication mode; it works even during power outages.
It's not common. Since it happened to me and I don't wish to ever repeat that experience, I no longer have a landline (and haven't for about nine years now).
In general, I'd say if you don't work in cyber security and thus aren't going to tick off and draw the ire of the criminals then you are pretty safe. For those of us involved in such things, while it isn't frequent, it certainly is common.
What really annoyed me was that *after* the incident the police were clueless about what a SWAT attack was and treated me like I was the criminal (for actually defending my own home).
wow. well, i get it that in your line of work it could be an issue - also for police officers, judges, politicians and maybe even AI execs (!) what an increasingly whacko world.
Yes, life experience depends a lot on how "high profile" you are. 😢
I am purchasing an Above phone. Have you heard of it?
https://rumble.com/v7ajbak-these-privacy-first-devices-give-the-middle-finger-to-big-tech-w-hakeem-anw.html
Hi Deb, yes I have...I don't have one, but I know ppl who do. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't have an auxillary jack for headphones...there was another thing about it tied to how it searches, can't think of it now, but will try to remember and get back to you. Hope to do a podcast with Hakeem in the near future.
Headphones put EMFs right into the brain, unless you use air tubes.
This is very valuable few min vid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB_OYdoFwf8
I never use headphones anyway. My current provider is Patriot Mobile. My email is through protonmail
I use a small mp3 player with a speaker when I'm on a run or even put it in my pocket if I'm doing stuff around the house. There's no data, nor gps, no connecting to cell towers, only small sd card. Their about $6 a piece. Weighs same as a small pen. The main problem is charging only runs for 45 min. They are so small you can easily bring a few with you. The controls sometimes work strangely, like volume higher makes it lower and silly stuff like that.
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/39hhhu6e
I saw the video. Seems like lots of people will still choose to communicate with the big tech apps even when using the phone. The Freedom Phone was not so secure was it?
https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/omcd36/magabranded_freedom_phone_is_a_major_security/
☞ Why are Agencies leaving this guy alone? I suspect there will be a back door to being monitored and Hakeem must be in on it. TPTB will leave small game alone but surreptitiously track and bag anyone of large stature who might be trouble. The bagged people will just disappear, there will be no blame on the phone. Perfect Intel operation.
Good call on the Freedom Phone. I'm not sure about Hakeem, he seems like he has good intentions, but don't know him personally. This is why I like the no phone approach, as it gets to the root of the issue - tracking us all with these mobile devices. It doesn't matter how pretty or "free" your chain is, it's still a chain.
I have one and It's still a compromise as all calls and texts are through one's provider, I did go through Iphone withdrawal for a few weeks, as the ease of that one continually nudges further engagement and I was used to it from habit. When I close my gallery, by years end I plan of ditching it too :)
Hakkem has and is doing a great job with decentralization. I now have open source accounting soft ware runs locally. Lots of open source options being created to use instead of the APs and Cloud based ones.
My provider is Patriot Mobile, so I’m not too concerned
Thanks for sharing that Susan. When you say all calls are through one's provider, sorry I'm a bit confused, but isn't that how it normally works? Recently I was able to set up zoom & google voice (I know it's google) using an e-sim card on an old iphone for Bohdanna (no carriers involved, only a data plan that you purchase from an e-sim provider).
Our household carrier is Pure Talk, kept old phone number - so texts and calls can be vacuumed up. I'm not up to speed with e-sim method.
So you don't pay for a provider it seems.
Exactly, no carrier / provider plans, only a data plan you buy online, then the e-sim picks a provider based on your call area.
Having discovered what was making me sick (a couple of years ago), and investing in a Safe Living RF meter, and jettisoning everything that was not in the 'slight to moderate' zone of my meter, I came home last week to see Australia's NBN (national broadband network) had installed an antenna on the roof of my neighbour's property - not 20 meters from the wall of my house. And, because his house is lower down the slope than mine, the antenna is level with my living area. One swoop with my RF meter and it confirmed what my frazzled brain was telling me - that the level for my entire back yard was extreme. My property went from a safe zone into unlivable, so I let my neighbour know his tech was trespassing on my property - and he was decent enough to turn it off (and source a tp link that many of us use), but it is akin to living with a loaded gun pointed at your head. NBN cares not a wit about health and safety - and neither does today's Australian government (despite a Senate 'Inquiry into Electromagnetic Radiation' reported on in May 2001). The problem - then and now - is in part because this stuff comes under Communications and IT - and not Public Health (25 years ago the recommendation was to shift it from tech to health but the fox - then and now - is gonna have none of that). So again we are forced to try and move somewhere 'safer'.
This made me chuckle.
It’s good for a few laughs when no one is around…
One of my favorite past times is to sit at a park across from my house and to sit on a little hill and stare at the sky doing open eyed meditation. Best part is I can do it anywhere, anytime when I am bored and have nothing to do, looking at a phone is the last thing I ever want to do.
Thank you Reverend for chiming in. So much wonder when we just stop to appreciate it all. Any kind of mantra? How long do you do it for?
ps - i actually do not have a "magic jack" 'landline', but similar. mine is VOIP (voice over internet protocol) cabled in via comcast.
Good post. BTW, it's Canon, not Canan!
Thank you for the proofread Proton.
Dear Roman!
Superb article!
I always enjoy your articles. They are so well written, fun to read and the way you write is captivating! I am catching up on some of them. Very often I share them with patients, friends and family!
I am so glad you ditched the smart phone.
It is wonderful not to have it these days - for all the reasons you mentioned!!!
You are not paying them for destruction (cell phone companies)
Plua, you are so much more connected to actual people around you without any distractions, being upset, being pulled away by some feed, news, instant message, etc.
I have not missed the smart phone. I ditched it three years ago. The best decision.
- I do still need to invest in a better quality camera to take photos and videos.
- Sometimes people can get a bit annoyed I do not have text messages as not so many people check email daily or several times a day so communication is an issue sometimes. But we always solve it by discussing the best way to connect.
We should start a club - Living Without A Smart Ass Phone :) And living is good!
Wish you all the best!
The interview that we did back in Feb was watched by more than 600 people!
You are changing lives!
Happy Summer!