[pct-l] The changing culture of connectivity

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

On Aug 12, 2008, at 8:21 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>
> On a philosophical note, the continuing  publicity for items like  
> ROVER are starting to
> worry me.
>
> I have nothing against cell phones in the backcountry for emergencies,
> or FIDO or similar devices (as long as the advertisement is  
> true..which does not seem to be the case!
> :D)
>
> But, we are getting to the point where it is expected EVERYONE  
> should have a device of some sort.

I agree. And if we're all expected to have one, we're also expected  
to pay for one. And if we do that then we have to work all the time  
because now the cost of living has gone up. It's a conspiracy to keep  
up tied into the corporate-controlled world. Who can quit their jobs  
to thru-hike and thus learn about non-materialism if they have so  
many expensive things to pay for?

Ironically, I accidentally brought my cellphone with me because I  
forgot to put it in my bounce bucket. I was only going to use it in  
town. But it turned out to be very nice to have on the trail. I could  
call family when I was lonely, and I even would call them to look up  
road maps online for me to tell me how to get places. Once I called a  
cab, too, and saved myself a long road walk in the desert.

So I don't have anything against devices. Like you I'm against the  
cultural assumption that you are irresponsible not to.