I've just spent an hour and a half trying to book an airline ticket online. I have to book it online because if I phone, not only will I pay for the tedious wait and the tedious phone call, but the fares will be higher.
It took an hour and a half partly because of a technical problem on their site, and partly because my card wouldn't work. It doesn't work a lot nowadays, occasionally in a shop, for some online purchases, but it usually works by phone. I've tried everything, talking to the people selling, to my bank, but no-one took any responsibility and nobody had any idea.
Today, my bank suggested the reason might be that I have not registered my mobile phone with them. (despite the fact I don't use one and they never mentioned it). Because, new 'security systems' exist which work as follows; when you try to pay, the system sends you an SMS on your mobile phone, if you don't have a mobile phone, or if it isn't working for some reason or you forgot it or someone stole THEN TOUGH YOU CAN'T PAY. No ticket home. No nothing.
Please, I asked my telephone bank counsellor, could they send it to my email address? My computer is after all much less likely to be stolen - 50 percent of mobile phone owners say their phone was stolen in the last 3 years. The answer NO, the 'can't do anything about it' response, didn't even know who sets up the new security systems, who I can contact, even the banks apparently are helpless against the erosion of privacy, rights and freedom in the name of 'security'.
So as more and more of us are forced and encouraged to buy online, with shop closures, and with the increase in availability uniquely online (especially travel) not to mention better prices the issue is this:
Being forced to buy a mobile phone in order to have the right to buy is a human rights and freedom of choice violation.
Here are some reasons why I choose not to use a mobile phone
- Health issues - electromagnet waves penetrate the body
- Privacy invasion I don't want to be contacted by anyone and everyone, selling me things, finding out where I am, expecting immediate reply, endless messages from the telephone company trying to sell me things I don't want to think about. I might want to keep one just for close family and emergencies - I don't want to accessible to everyone all the time, to be open to cell-phone tracking, the taking and using my data without my permission.
- Security aspect - so easily stolen, so much information on it.
- Financial aspect - it's not cheap and they're always trying to sell you more.
- Over consuming issues; the endless manufacture of machines which break and are dumped and replaced
- Social problems; expecting immediate reply and 24/7 availability, 'music', buzzing outbursts interrupt all conversations, prevent intimacy or any kind of deep meaningful communication, people running around talking apparently at you but into their phone, can't do nothing for one second without fiddling with, never where they are always on the phone, having to hear other people's one-sided personal conversations wherever I go.
- Personal identity issues; the idea that if I don't have a phone and don't have it on, I can't function, I am not complete. I don't want to become dependent on this machine for friends, communication of all kinds, information, avoiding boredom... I am complete without it.
Well, I think that's quite enough reason not to buy into mobile phones.
I searched online to see if anyone else had come up with this issue, but was unable to find a single word, but found plenty of things to do with selling phones. Ideas anyone? Or do I meekly buy a mobile phone and hand over my details to the bank like everyone else?
I have never experienced this problem myself. Generally everything is confirmed with an email - well, my purchases anyhow.
ReplyDeleteI understand your point about mobile phones. I do need one for work contacts - its just the way it is. If I want to be working, I have to be contactable. I can't stand on my high horse and tell them to ring me at home, or at a certain time - if they cant get me, they move onto the next person.
Having said that, I rarely have my phone on me on weekends and resent having to remember to keep it charged.
I feel trapped if I have to be available all the time for my employer, it's become acceptable practice, even required practice...that's how our freedom and privacy is eroded. I don't think it's standing on a high horse to set out times when you can be contacted, or methods by which... you do have the right to time when you can't be interrupted - although I take your point for supply work when you have to be available at the last minute
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