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Title: Why No One Answers Their Phone Anymore
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URL Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/technol ... 05/ring-ring-ring-ring/561545/
Published: Jun 7, 2018
Author: Alexis C. Madrigal
Post Date: 2018-06-07 05:59:19 by Tatarewicz
Keywords: None
Views: 194
Comments: 28
Atlantic... The telephone swept into Americans’ lives in the first decades of the 20th century. At first, no one knew exactly how to telephone. Alexander Graham Bell wanted people to start conversations by saying, “Ahoy-hoy!” AT&T tried to prevent people from saying “hello,” arguing in Telephone Engineer magazine that it was rude. Make your inbox more interesting. Each weekday evening, get an overview of the day’s biggest news, along with fascinating ideas, images, and people. Email Address (required) Thanks for signing up! But eventually, Americans learned to say “hello.” People built a culture around the phone that worked. Etiquette magazines tried to prevent women from inviting people over for dinner via telephone, then gave in. The doctor got a phone, so the pharmacist got a phone. It didn’t happen quickly, but it happened. And once it was done, during my childhood, these social customs sat between me and this raw technical artifact—the handset, the curly cord connecting it to the base, the wires running across the nation, coming together in vast switching stations, amplified, multiplexed, and then branching back out to the other cities, other neighborhoods, other blocks, other houses. In the moment when a phone rang, there was an imperative. One had to pick up the phone. This thinking permeated the culture from adults to children. In a Hello Kitty segment designed to teach kids how the phone worked, Hello Kitty is playing when the phone starts to ring. “It’s the phone. Yay!” she says. “Mama! Mama! The telephone is ringing. Hurry! They are gonna hang up.” Before ubiquitous caller ID or even *69 (which allowed you to call back the last person who’d called you), if you didn’t get to the phone in time, that was that. You’d have to wait until they called back. And what if the person calling had something really important to tell you or ask you? Missing a phone call was awful. Hurry! More Stories Don't Hate the Phone Call, Hate the Phone Ian Bogost A figure walking in the snow The Icelandic Families Tracking Climate Change With Measuring Tape Gloria Dickie Undark A woman wearing glasses looks up at a screen Gambling Channels Are the Latest Victims of YouTube's Arbitrary Moderation Process Taylor Lorenz Mark Zuckerberg sits on a chair against a red background. How Bad Is Facebook’s New China Problem? Alexis C. Madrigal Not picking up the phone would be like someone knocking at your door and you standing behind it not answering. It was, at the very least, rude, and quite possibly sneaky or creepy or something. Besides, as the phone rang, there were always so many questions, so many things to sort out. Who was it? What did they want? Was it for … me? “Hello, Madrigal residence,” I would say, and it would make sense of everything for me and whoever was on the other end of the line. This became a kind of cultural commons that people could draw on to understand communicating through a technology. When you called someone, if the person was there, they would pick up, they would say hello. If someone called you, if you were there, you would pick up, you would say hello. That was just how phones worked. The expectation of pickup was what made phones a synchronous medium. I attach no special value to it. There’s no need to return to the pure state of 1980s telephonic culture. It’s just something that happened, like lichen growing on rocks in the tundra, or bacteria breaking down a fallen peach. Life did its thing, on and in the inanimate substrate. But I want to dwell on the existence of this cultural layer, because it is disappearing. No one picks up the phone anymore. Even many businesses do everything they can to avoid picking up the phone. Of the 50 or so calls I received in the last month, I might have picked up four or five times. The reflex of answering—built so deeply into people who grew up in 20th-century telephonic culture—is gone. Telephone exchanges of that era were what the scholar Robert Hopper described as “not quite ritual, but routine to the extent that its appearance approaches ritual.” When the phone rang, everyone knew to answer and speak in “the liturgy of the national attitude.” Now, people have forgotten how to pick up, the words, when to sing. There are many reasons for the slow erosion of this commons. The most important aspect is structural: There are simply more communication options. Text messaging and its associated multimedia variations are rich and wonderful: words mixed with emoji, Bitmoji, reaction gifs, regular old photos, video, links. Texting is fun, lightly asynchronous, and possible to do with many people simultaneously. It’s almost as immediate as a phone call, but not quite. You’ve got your Twitter, your Facebook, your work Slack, your email, FaceTimes incoming from family members. So many little dings have begun to make the rings obsolete. But in the last couple years, there is a more specific reason for eyeing my phone’s ring warily. Perhaps 80 or even 90 percent of the calls coming into my phone are spam of one kind or another. Now, if I hear my phone buzzing from across the room, at first I’m excited if I think it’s a text, but when it keeps going, and I realize it’s a call, I won’t even bother to walk over. My phone only rings one or two times a day, which means that I can go a whole week without a single phone call coming in that I (or Apple’s software) can even identify, let alone want to pick up. There are unsolicited telemarketing calls. There are straight-up robocalls that merely deliver recorded messages. There are the cyborg telemarketers, who sit in call centers playing prerecorded bits of audio to simulate a conversation. There are the spam phone calls, whose sole purpose seems to be verifying that your phone number is real and working. The Federal Communications Commission has been trying to slow robocalls for at least half a decade, but it doesn’t seem to have done anything to stem the tide. YouMail is an app that tries to block these kinds of calls, and they create an estimate of how many robocalls are being made each month. The numbers are staggering and April 2018 showed them at an all-time high. Chart derived from YouMail’s Robocall Index Telemarketers, of course, were the original people who took advantage of the telephone culture’s drive to pick up the phone. But people cost money, even my dumb teenage self calling up plant managers in Alabama trying to sell them software to manage their material-data safety sheets. People get bored with their crappy, repetitive jobs. People quit. Machines—the software kind that can dial phone numbers, at least—are cheap. They don’t get drunk or go back to school or have a sick child. They just call and call and call and call. As often as not, when I’ve made the mistake of picking up, there’s just dead air, maybe just for a few seconds, as a person is patched in, or maybe—if I don’t say anything—for a while until the machine hangs up. Sometimes it’s a recorded message. And worse, most of the time I pick up, I’m giving the spammer valuable information that my number is a live number, which they will sell to the next spammer. This happened 3.4 billion times last month, where someone had to make the decision to pick up or to let it go, and give in to the change. Alexis C. Madrigal is a staff writer at The Atlantic. He's the author of Powering the Dream: The History and Promise of Green Technology.
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#1. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
Now you can order meds on the computer. It didn't take too long for them to adapt. ;) "When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
Wasn't aware of this trend, but it goes right along with the death of social trust that diversity and increased lawlessness breed. (There's a useful, rather curious buzzterm for the situation that results -- anomie.) I almost always answer, and if it's a number I don't recognize I just don't say anything. If a solicitor I'll have some fun withem like holding the fone up to whatever right-wing or cinematic stuff I'm listening to -- seems to cut the spam calls down. Speaking of which, DDuke is going strong davidduke.com/dr-duke-int...defender-of-white-people- patrick-little-candidate-for-u-s-senate-in-california/ _____________________________________________________________ USA! USA! USA! Bringing you democracy, or else! there were strains of VD that were incurable, and they were first found in the Philippines and then transmitted to the Korean working girls via US military. The 'incurables' we were told were first taken back to a military hospital in the Philippines to quietly die. – 4um
How caller I.D. escaped the censors is the 8th wonder of the world !
Ephesians 5:11King James Version (KJV) 11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. " It's not terrorism when Amerika does it.
What the public needs is an answering machine similar to what businesses set up, with the message "If you know the extension (for example 23) press it at any time; otherwise listen to following options. Only if the caller presses the extension would your phone ring. Otherwise, depending on what options you provided the caller could leave a message or would be disconnected. You would give the extension to your friends, family, doctor, etc. That should eliminate 90% of all phone calls, mostly solicitations since they won't call if they can't talk to a person.
I have a cell phone and I am very careful not to reveal the number except to important people in my life. I still get the occasional robocall telling me how to pay off my student loans. I've never had a student loan. Ticks me off.
There's a simpler solution -- don't know why people don't use it more. A setup that answers any unknown number "You are calling from a number we do not recognize. Please state your name and reason for calling." I spose even better would be to start it with the 3 "dead number" tones, which will signal to any robot to remove you from all lists.
_____________________________________________________________ USA! USA! USA! Bringing you democracy, or else! there were strains of VD that were incurable, and they were first found in the Philippines and then transmitted to the Korean working girls via US military. The 'incurables' we were told were first taken back to a military hospital in the Philippines to quietly die. – 4um
What are those three dead number keys? thanks.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
Hmmmm.... mebbe they could be produced on touch tones! Easier to copy from here
_____________________________________________________________ USA! USA! USA! Bringing you democracy, or else! there were strains of VD that were incurable, and they were first found in the Philippines and then transmitted to the Korean working girls via US military. The 'incurables' we were told were first taken back to a military hospital in the Philippines to quietly die. – 4um
However, there are many in the Hispanic community whose first language isn't English and do prefer saying "olla" instead, maybe so that their dialectical meaning isn't as apt to be confused with the word "Jello". ------- "They're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time." -- Col. Puller, USMC
Just to veer off the subject, remember party lines? Two or three neighbors with a unique ring sequence. And then picking up the phone to make a call and two women are yapping away about nothing? I suppose I'm officially old now.
You are not alone. Wasn't that FUNNY?
_____________________________________________________________ USA! USA! USA! Bringing you democracy, or else! there were strains of VD that were incurable, and they were first found in the Philippines and then transmitted to the Korean working girls via US military. The 'incurables' we were told were first taken back to a military hospital in the Philippines to quietly die. – 4um
Great idea. I tell friends to ring twice and call back in 5 - 10 minutes when I'll be by a phone after bathroom/catherization routine, etc. Otherwise don't answer. Friend has $30/year cell subscription, never answers, just phone for emergencies. We communicate by email. Automated answering, especially at government offices, has become a time-wasting annoyance.
The 2-ring thing is simple genius. I urged a nonagenarian friend to have her few friends and relatives use it since she had it bad with solicitors. I disagree with most ppl about automated answering. Love it when it works, which is the vast majority of the time in my exp. Had tho't it was impossible to speak to a human at Duke Energy anymore but somebody gave me a number for it which works like a charm. If I have any dealing with a bank etc. I ask for a local number and make a permanent note of it -- sometimes get the impression they don't want to give it out ;-) _____________________________________________________________ USA! USA! USA! Bringing you democracy, or else! there were strains of VD that were incurable, and they were first found in the Philippines and then transmitted to the Korean working girls via US military. The 'incurables' we were told were first taken back to a military hospital in the Philippines to quietly die. – 4um
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_information_tones
“I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it. My affections, being concentrated over a few people, are not spread all over Hell in a vile attempt to placate sulky, worthless shits.” - William S Burroughs
Government and public utilities are the worse, but most all businesses don't mind wasting your time.
Linked there: a loud, clear version of the tones that sounds pretty real= en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TeleZapper Since it says some telemarketers are now dispensing with the tone detection because people are using the TeleZapper, my idea may still be the best -- if it's an unfamiliar number, pick up but don't say anything. Mebbe clear your throat -- this shows any human being that's calling that somebody's there, but doesn't give crooks any usable voice samples. _____________________________________________________________ USA! USA! USA! Bringing you democracy, or else! there were strains of VD that were incurable, and they were first found in the Philippines and then transmitted to the Korean working girls via US military. The 'incurables' we were told were first taken back to a military hospital in the Philippines to quietly die. – 4um
I ain't spending any more money on doodads to defeat other doodads before I try that intercept tone. :) I used to love playing mindf**k with telemarketers, tell them how much I loved their entry in the hot air balloon race that year and such. Or their pens, that was the best ball-point pen I'd ever owned, where was it made...? “I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it. My affections, being concentrated over a few people, are not spread all over Hell in a vile attempt to placate sulky, worthless shits.” - William S Burroughs
The ballpoint the Slimon Wiesenthal Center sends with great fanfare in a flat box contains only enuff ink to sign the donation form that comes with it ;-)
_____________________________________________________________ USA! USA! USA! Bringing you democracy, or else! there were strains of VD that were incurable, and they were first found in the Philippines and then transmitted to the Korean working girls via US military. The 'incurables' we were told were first taken back to a military hospital in the Philippines to quietly die. – 4um
The "number no longer in service" tones have had little effect. "Card Services" continues to call, going so far as to mask their identity with a phony caller ID. So I pushed "1", to speak to a representative. They do not seem to appreciate being held on the the line for several minutes with silliness. Called me a "sonofabitch" and hung up after I gave my address as 138454887 Shaboopboop Street. I hope I ruined his day. “I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it. My affections, being concentrated over a few people, are not spread all over Hell in a vile attempt to placate sulky, worthless shits.” - William S Burroughs
God how I hate Rachel:)
“I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it. My affections, being concentrated over a few people, are not spread all over Hell in a vile attempt to placate sulky, worthless shits.” - William S Burroughs
Do you know that from experience? I hope not. ;) "When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
China of course. They make almost anything you could dream of. ;) "When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
Are you herbert?
“I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it. My affections, being concentrated over a few people, are not spread all over Hell in a vile attempt to placate sulky, worthless shits.” - William S Burroughs
"Quit calling me! And get off my lawn!!" :p “With the exception of Whites, the rule among the peoples of the world, whether residing in their homelands or settled in Western democracies, is ethnocentrism and moral particularism: they stick together and good means what is good for their ethnic group." The pump don't work 'cause the vandals took the handles.
“I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it. My affections, being concentrated over a few people, are not spread all over Hell in a vile attempt to placate sulky, worthless shits.” - William S Burroughs
------- "They're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time." -- Col. Puller, USMC
Holy shit! That dumb bitch is making an argument that people live and die by day- trading across the border.....her pitch is clearly to the east coast/west coast idiots in the democrat redoubts.
“With the exception of Whites, the rule among the peoples of the world, whether residing in their homelands or settled in Western democracies, is ethnocentrism and moral particularism: they stick together and good means what is good for their ethnic group." They don't mind wasting your time with their computer recordings. However, they hate it when you take up their time by pressing 1 to talk to a human implying that they might sell you something only to find out after a couple or minutes that you never intended to buy and that you only wanted to take up their time.
the pharmacist got a phone.
#2. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
(Edited)
#3. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
#4. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
#5. To: DWornock (#4)
#6. To: DWornock (#4)
#7. To: NeoconsNailed (#6)
#8. To: Lod (#7)
#9. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
(Edited)
eventually, Americans learned to say “hello.”
#10. To: Lod (#7)
#11. To: Fred Mertz (#10)
#12. To: DWornock (#4)
#13. To: Tatarewicz (#12)
#14. To: Lod (#7)
#15. To: Tatarewicz (#12)
Automated answering, especially at government offices, has become a time-wasting annoyance.
#16. To: Dakmar (#14)
(Edited)
#17. To: NeoconsNailed (#16)
#18. To: Dakmar (#17)
#19. To: NeoconsNailed, Fred Mertz, Lod, DWornock, Tatarewicz, GreyLmist, noone222 (#18)
(Edited)
#20. To: Rachel at Card Services (#19)
#21. To: NeoconsNailed (#18)
The ballpoint the Slimon Wiesenthal Center sends with great fanfare in a flat box contains only enuff ink to sign the donation form that comes with it
#22. To: Dakmar (#17)
that was the best ball-point pen I'd ever owned, where was it made...?
#23. To: BTP Holdings (#22)
#24. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
-Alex Kurtagic 
#25. To: X-15 (#24)
#26. To: X-15, 4 (#24)
(Edited)
"Quit calling me! And get off my lawn!!"
Yikes! It's NANCY PELOSI MOWING THE GRASS AGAIN!! [1-minute YouTube reminder by "THE OFFICE OF SPECIAL POLITICS COUNSEL" + some "national security" text-message clippings from her Arizona-interview last February, reported at realclearpolitics]: "... But, again, let's sit down and talk this through about what makes sense," ... "Let's talk about where" [border] "fencing will do or mowing the grass so that" [illegal alien] "people can't be smuggled through the grass. That's something -- "
#27. To: GreyLmist (#26)
-Alex Kurtagic
#28. To: Dakmar (#19)
So I pushed "1", to speak to a representative. They do not seem to appreciate being held on the the line for several minutes with silliness
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