[Cranky Codger]

The Fading Melody of Landline Telephones: On the Toll of Technological 'Progress'​

Ah, the landline telephone. A relic of a bygone era, a time when communication was a ritual, a ceremony of sorts. You'd pick up the receiver, dial the number (and by dial, I mean actually rotate a dial, not tap on a screen), and wait for the sweet symphony of the ringtone. It was a time when the phrase "hang up" had a literal meaning, and slamming the receiver down was a satisfyingly dramatic way to end an argument.

But alas, the landline telephone, like the dodo and good manners, is on the brink of extinction. Replaced by the ubiquitous mobile phone, a device that does everything but make a decent cup of tea. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not a complete Luddite. I understand the convenience of these pocket-sized computers. But in our rush to embrace the future, we've lost something precious.

Mobile phones vs Landline phones: Tyranny vs Peace.

The landline telephone was more than just a communication device. It was a symbol of connection, a tether to the world. It sat in a place of honour in the home, often on a special telephone table. And when it rang, it was an event. Everyone in the house would freeze, waiting to see who would answer, who the call was for. It was a shared experience.

Now, everyone has their own personal phone, their own number. Calls are a private affair, conducted in hushed tones in corners, or more often, via text. The shared experience is gone, replaced by a sort of isolation. We're all connected, but we're also more alone.

And let's not forget the art of conversation that the landline telephone fostered. You couldn't hide behind emojis or abbreviations. You had to actually talk, to articulate your thoughts, to listen and respond. It was a dance, a skill. Now, we're reduced to thumbs furiously tapping on screens, autocorrect making a mockery of our language.

And what of the humble phone book? That hefty tome, filled with names and numbers, a directory of your community. Now, it's all stored in the cloud, out of sight, out of mind. We've traded the tangible for the virtual, and I'm not convinced it's a fair swap.

In conclusion, while the landline telephone may be a relic, it's a relic I miss. It was a symbol of a slower, more connected time. A time when communication was more than just a quick text or a hastily typed email. It was a time when the ring of the telephone was a melody, not just a notification.

So, next time your mobile phone rings, take a moment to remember the humble landline. And maybe, just maybe, consider picking up the receiver and dialling a number. You might be surprised at the connection you find.

Until next time, stay cranky, my friends.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Exactly.....put a fog horn or at least a bell on your Mobility Scooter....that should keep them on their toes.

Or an old school cow catcher like in the Westerns.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I had three of those little noisy monsters no wonder both my husbands left me.and it wasn’t just the phone.

I bet you were the fourth. Just joking....

 

[Littleboy8]

I bet you were the fourth. Just joking....

Absolutelythey did me a favour extra num nums for them.good birdies.

 

[Useless]

I still have a landline and like many of you I leave it on the answering machine so all calls can be monitored but I also have a problem with mobile phones as the people who have them attached to their ears don’t see what is around them and don’t care.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Absolutelythey did me a favour extra num nums for them.good birdies.

I love that movie! Peter Sellers and Claudine Longet in The Party. I think Claudine ended up murdering someone.

I had to research it! She shot boyfriend Olympic skier Spider Sabich at his Aspen, Colorado home in 1976. Copped a paltry fine and 30 days jail for negligent homicide due to contamination of evidence.

 

[RieTreesSilver]

Thank you, Cranky, for a well written piece which so many of us can appreciate. My father made our telephone table out of tubular steel, chip board, and vinyl offcuts when he worked for Chrysler in the 60's. It sat in our draughty hallway and was a challenge in winter (no central heating).

In the move to mobile phones there has been another, less salubrious loss - the obscene phone call. During the 60's, 70's and even 80's it was a regular phenomenon. The phone would ring- dialled at random by some pathetic loser with an inferiority complex and a sick need for attention - and, if a woman or girl answered, they would be greeted by heavy breathing, or raspy obscenities spewing from the handset. These d@#kheads seem to have fallen by the wayside - replaced no doubt by patrons of the Dark Web and internet porn.

These people were dealt with quickly with a metal sports whistle and a quick hard knock of the hand set on the nearest wall or doorway. Solved our problem the first time used in the early 80's. Just best to warn housemates beforehand though.

 

[Ezzy]

We still have a home phone but do not use this because my daughter, who pays for internet has stated that using this would cost us dearly for calls. I prefer the landline & only bought a mobile phone for emergencies. I usually only receive a SMS. Perhaps it is time to change our Internet supplier so we can again use the landline too.

 

[Dennis]

but then caller ID was introduced to the landline and then you (as now) could ghost the caller.

Caller ID is great, I can get 5 or 6 calls a week which I knock back, some put the phone down straight away when the operator asks who is calling.

 

[52-KID]

And speaking of telephone books, I said to my grand daughter (aged 27) that I would look it up in the phone book. She had no idea what I was talking about, had never seen one or used one. I still use my local one occasionally, but now I think about it, it's been a while since they published a new one.

 

[52-KID]

We still have a home phone but do not use this because my daughter, who pays for internet has stated that using this would cost us dearly for calls. I prefer the landline & only bought a mobile phone for emergencies. I usually only receive a SMS. Perhaps it is time to change our Internet supplier so we can again use the landline too.

That sounds a bit odd, unless she is talking about making VOIP calls, which act like a landline, but are actually over the internet. Or maybe she's talking about line rental and such?

 

[RieTreesSilver]

And speaking of telephone books, I said to my grand daughter (aged 27) that I would look it up in the phone book. She had no idea what I was talking about, had never seen one or used one. I still use my local one occasionally, but now I think about it, it's been a while since they published a new one.

I still keep a couple of old ones handy. It helps provide a booster seat for the grandkids.

 

[PKlein5]

The Fading Melody of Landline Telephones: On the Toll of Technological 'Progress'​

Ah, the landline telephone. A relic of a bygone era, a time when communication was a ritual, a ceremony of sorts. You'd pick up the receiver, dial the number (and by dial, I mean actually rotate a dial, not tap on a screen), and wait for the sweet symphony of the ringtone. It was a time when the phrase "hang up" had a literal meaning, and slamming the receiver down was a satisfyingly dramatic way to end an argument.

But alas, the landline telephone, like the dodo and good manners, is on the brink of extinction. Replaced by the ubiquitous mobile phone, a device that does everything but make a decent cup of tea. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not a complete Luddite. I understand the convenience of these pocket-sized computers. But in our rush to embrace the future, we've lost something precious.

View attachment 36286

Mobile phones vs Landline phones: Tyranny vs Peace.

The landline telephone was more than just a communication device. It was a symbol of connection, a tether to the world. It sat in a place of honour in the home, often on a special telephone table. And when it rang, it was an event. Everyone in the house would freeze, waiting to see who would answer, who the call was for. It was a shared experience.

Now, everyone has their own personal phone, their own number. Calls are a private affair, conducted in hushed tones in corners, or more often, via text. The shared experience is gone, replaced by a sort of isolation. We're all connected, but we're also more alone.

And let's not forget the art of conversation that the landline telephone fostered. You couldn't hide behind emojis or abbreviations. You had to actually talk, to articulate your thoughts, to listen and respond. It was a dance, a skill. Now, we're reduced to thumbs furiously tapping on screens, autocorrect making a mockery of our language.

And what of the humble phone book? That hefty tome, filled with names and numbers, a directory of your community. Now, it's all stored in the cloud, out of sight, out of mind. We've traded the tangible for the virtual, and I'm not convinced it's a fair swap.

In conclusion, while the landline telephone may be a relic, it's a relic I miss. It was a symbol of a slower, more connected time. A time when communication was more than just a quick text or a hastily typed email. It was a time when the ring of the telephone was a melody, not just a notification.

So, next time your mobile phone rings, take a moment to remember the humble landline. And maybe, just maybe, consider picking up the receiver and dialling a number. You might be surprised at the connection you find.

Until next time, stay cranky, my friends.

Ha yes we both just sit there listening to it ring knowing neither of us are going to pick it up because it will be someone trying to sell something.