[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.

 

[Littleboy8]

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.

I still have an old heavy chunky black phone of my father in laws which I reckon came off noah’s Ark it’s that old.

 

[Dennis]

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.

I still use a landline, Another thing also that annoys me with these handheld phones is I now have to use a mobility scooter to get round the shopping centre and the amount of people you have to avoid head down and not looking where they are going.

 

[Littleboy8]

I still use a landline, Another thing also that annoys me with these handheld phones is I now have to use a mobility scooter to get round the shopping centre and the amount of people you have to avoid head down and not looking where they are going.

Easy solution Dennis “run the motherfu ers over”beep beep.

 

[Joydie]

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.

I saw a facebook meme recently. I’ve gone through 78 years as the glass half full Pollyanna. Recently though, I sense a change and this meme summed it up perfectly: ‘I never thought I’d become a grumpy old woman, but here I am rocking it!’

 

[Citizen]

The telephone was a great connection. It would ring and everyone would stop and go quiet while someone answered. Usually a friend or family member was calling and everyone would say hi and be part of the conversation as the phone was usually in the central hub of the house. Then the marketers came. Dread set in as you wondered what you were answering. So set the demise of the house phone. Now marketeers arre set on destroying the mobile phone connection.

 

[Ronloby]

It's not just the fall of the landline it is also the lack of cash to pay the phone bill.

 

[Nichola]

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.

 

[AlanQ]

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

 

[PattiB]

I saw a facebook meme recently. I’ve gone through 78 years as the glass half full Pollyanna. Recently though, I sense a change and this meme summed it up perfectly: ‘I never thought I’d become a grumpy old woman, but here I am rocking it!’

Me too, sometimes.

 

[starrysnan]

We loved the landlines before the advent of mobiles. My Dad had a lovely little budgie who flew from his cage, sat next to the phone and "talked to it" You could hear a little buzzing sound emanating from the phone and I think the budgie just loved it. Woe betide if you needed to use the phone while the budgie was chatting to it!

 

[PattiB]

We still have a landline but not for much longer. It’s not used to make calls just receive them & generally it’s only charities or scammers who call. My husband was a telephone technician with the PMG & spent many years crawling around in people’s roof cavities installing phones or fixing them. He has fond memories of the old phones, exchanges etc. He later moved into the broadcast section of Telecom then Telstra & eventually Broadcast Australia helping keep our ABC on air. My parents were on a party line for several years & we had a big black phone with a handle on it. We all had to learn a bit of Morse code so we could identify the rings. There was great excitement when we were finally upgraded to dial phone, but it was sad to not have the girls on the exchange to chat to. Now our soon to be unplugged phone has touch buttons. There are a lot of great things that are no-more but I’m always excited about the future, just wish I could proceed without all the aches & pains but we can’t have everything.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Why are they still called "mobile phones"? They should be renamed a "personal multimedia device" as talking on them is a dying art. Or should it be called a "PMD"? For short....like everything else!

I read an article last year on what mobile phone users employed their phones to do. Voice calls were way down on the list, with accessing the internet, sending/receiving emails, live movie streaming, social media and SMS services exceeding that of the humble voice call. I will have to it dig up again and post the findings. Interesting reading indeed!

 

[PattiB]

Why are they still called "mobile phones"? They should be renamed a "personal multimedia device" as talking on them is a dying art. Or should it be called a "PMD"? For short....like everything else!

I read an article last year on what mobile phone users employed their phones to do. Voice calls were way down on the list, with accessing the internet, sending/receiving emails, live movie streaming, social media and SMS services exceeding that of the humble voice call. I will have to dig up of again and post the findings. Interesting reading indeed!

I generally only use my mobile to make & receive calls, though I do spend a bit of time attached to my iPad.

 

[magpie1]

Easy solution Dennis “run the motherfu ers over”beep beep.

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

 

[Parrot]

Unfortunately it’s not only people in Shopping Centres who are not watching where they are going but one only has to take a look at pedestrian crossing 2 out of 3 people are busy looking at their Mobile Phones and are unaware of the lights changing .. “ Wait I haven’t finished reading my MESSAGE “ !!!! Is the look one gets !

 

[Greatgwr]

I still use a landline, Another thing also that annoys me with these handheld phones is I now have to use a mobility scooter to get round the shopping centre and the amount of people you have to avoid head down and not looking where they are going.

Oh they are fun, a large air horn from 3 feet in front, its almost possible to drive under them they jump so high.

 

[Gsr]

We still have and use a landline. My hubby rarely uses his mobile, only taking it in the car if he is going on the expressway or highway, in case he needs it for an emergency. I remember as a kid the neighbours in the sticks had ran the telephone exchange, we didn’t have a phone, we took our grocery list over every Friday, they rang it through to the grocers in town, they had it ready for dad to pick up on his way home from the sawmill where he worked and stayed all week. Same with the butchers order. Grocery shops didn’t stock meat back then, especially small country towns. If we needed to contact anyone else we could ring at the exchange, or if someone wanted to contact us the neighbours yelled across the road to us. Our first house phone was one where we dialled the number on a round dial, we had a black, a green and eventually a cream one over the years. Then we had push buttons. Now our phone has a main phone and two extension phones which are cordless, just need to be plugged into the power. The main one is still connected to a port, our home internet is also connected to the same port. I use a mobile as well, mainly for msgs, I have mobile internet on it from when I worked the last census and had to use the phone to record my deliveries and pickups. I have 2 work apps on it I use, no other apps. I take photos on it. I only make calls on it if I’m away from home. I do use my iPad for a lot more stuff.

 

[midgemills]

We loved the landlines before the advent of mobiles. My Dad had a lovely little budgie who flew from his cage, sat next to the phone and "talked to it" You could hear a little buzzing sound emanating from the phone and I think the budgie just loved it. Woe betide if you needed to use the phone while the budgie was chatting to it!

My friend had a rainbow lorikeet that mimicked the sound of her phone ringing. She never knew if it was the phone ringing or the bird doing it's thing.

 

[Littleboy8]

My friend had a rainbow lorikeet that mimicked the sound of her phone ringing. She never knew if it was the phone ringing or the bird doing it's thing.

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