Diary of A Phone Interactivity: Peter M

Diary of a Phone Interactivity

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Quantitative Data during a 48hr Period1

Total # of Interactions: 74

Total Interaction time: 56.34 minutes

Total Textual Interactions: 38

Clock/Times:18

Camera:1

Other:19

Total Social Interactions:36

Phone calls:9

Social media interactions:4

Email:8

Texts:17

Surrounding activities

Dorm Room/ No surrounding activity: 53

Campion/Other students Staff:4

Outside/Walking on campus:15

Inside:59

 

The diary that was used to record the phone interaction

Where’s the Pen?

Q) What it was like being forced to use communication technologies (the notebook and pen) while using another communication technology (the phone)?

A) Using a Notebook and pen to track individual phone usage during my 48hr social experiment did become somewhat of a hassle. I found this self tracking to be somewhat burdensome because it defeated the advantages of modern mobile computing. To me, mobile computing in our modern world is meant to be brief while on the go. We do choose to use or mobile devices for longer periods of time but only when we have a free moment to take in larger amounts or produce larger forms of communications. I did in fact avoid using my phone as much as I normally would, and even found it easier to use the Notes app within my device to track my usage on the go. This way I was able to use and track my pone digitally then copy my data into my notebook later on. I found this to be the best way of keeping track of my mobile usage throughout the second half of my 48hr experiment.

 

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What I learned…

Q) What have you learned about your relationship with your phone?

A) First off, I have proven my habit of using my cell phone as clock or way of telling time throughout my day from beginning to end. I have also become reliant of many of the other technological functions/apps that come with today’s smartphones. For example I use an alarm clock application on a daily basis. This behavior is certainly defined as being reliant upon, because I do not own an alarm clock and would have no way of getting up on time for class and or other obligations.

Furthermore, through this 48hr experiment I have found that I use my phone the most during break times or when I have a free moment in between appointments, class, obligations, ect. This usage is frequent but is usually brief and to the point.

Lastly, I do find my self being part of or an individual involved in current participatory culture through various mobile mediums but my usage can be defined as someone with a more passive approach compared to others. Being someone who is more reserved using current participatory culture tools I am more inclined to collect information through mobile mediums and choose to form biases to then withhold my own perspectives. Many others have similar approaches as consumers of mobile forms of communication, but there is in fact a large majority of people who more inclined to post their individual opinions in terms of online “participation”.

Q) What does it afford you that other communication technologies might not?

A) My cellphone gives me the most portability over all the communication devices I own because of its specific form factor and design. The ability to carry my phone in my pocket/backpack, and use both social, and technological features/apps or widgets that come with my current device at anytime personally provides me with a sense of “freedom”. This freedom is solely based on where we are today in terms of mobile computing technology. Advancements in mobile computing has come a long way to the point that we are able to video message, email talk, text within a matter of seconds to and from almost anywhere on the planet. As a tech junkie I can’t wait to see what advancements will come within the next few decades.

Q) How and why has it become so in your life (if you think it has)?

A) My phone plays a vital role as a personal tool of communication being extremely portable, I take it everywhere with me. I even get slight feelings of anxiety knowing I have low battery and the idea that I will soon not have access to tools of communication if necessary. I can assume others have similar perceptions of feeling unequipped or not prepared to travel with out their own smart phone in modern society is not uncommon. This idea is proven further by explaining the very common practice of using GPS functions/apps built in our phones to reach destinations that we would have know way of finding otherwise.

Q) Did you use the spaces for self-promotion or selfies or other very specific activities?

A) As I described earlier I am am somewhat passive with my mobile communications and I rarely use self-promotion tools or other personalized ways of communication associated with my phone. Throughout my day, I do use social networking sites like twitter to consumer information but chose not post information such as “selfies” and current moods in my posts. In conclusion I am someone whom prefers to post information about what is going on around me or what is currently entertaining or an idea thought I find to be very informative that is worth sharing with others online.