Handset hang-ups

Life after the introduction of the mobile phone

Sir, – I am writing in response to Conor Pope’s article, “20 things killed by our phones in 20 years”, published on April 10th.

The readership of The Irish Times is multigenerational. I am of the older generation of that readership. However, I am quite tech savvy and the owner of an up-to-date android smartphone. Despite this, I continue to use an “old-school camera”. I also have a large collection of vinyl records, cassettes and CDs for which I use a record player, a tape deck and a DVD player.

I carry a wallet containing cards and cash, wear a wrist watch that “hilariously” tells only the time and date, and set a mechanical alarm clock most nights. I would be lost without my 40-year-old Philips transistor radio, video and DVD players and my ancient hand-written address book. I can still manage to go astray on occasion despite using Google Maps.

I am sure I am not alone in continuing with this antiquated way of living. – Yours, etc,

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SIOBHÀN DE PAOR

Naas,

Co Kildare.

Sir, – As I read Iris Taylor’s letter regarding life before mobile phones, I am reminded of an old long-defunct handset, which we have had in the house some 30-plus years (Letters, April 12th). My little granddaughter derives great fun from her imaginary conversations on it. Of course, being ever “penny conscious” I strictly limit the time she spends on calls. I suppose it could be said that I have a hang-up about these things.

TOM GILSENAN,

Beaumont,

Dublin 9.