Location: The Panic

Discussion: Why cell phones won't work during the PanicReported This is a featured thread

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toxic_shock
toxic_shock
Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 28 2011, 7:53 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 28 2011, 7:53 PM EST
Wanted to share this example of communication system breakdown:

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011301260017

Ok, granted, Cellcom is not the largest cellular provider in the nation. But they run on AT&T's network. This is what happened in the aftermath of a sporting event. Even though a Green Bay NFC win is not just another sporting event. Imagine what would happen in the aftermath of a zombie outbreak. You could have everyone in the nation was texting and calling as if their lives depended on it. 2  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    
LJ126
LJ126
1. RE: Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 28 2011, 8:03 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 28 2011, 8:03 PM EST
Incidentally, I gave up my cell phone voluntarily for 5 days (today is day two) for an assignment in my English class. I was only one of three people that chose to do so - ironically, the three of us in the class who actually pay our own cell phone bills - but none of the rest of class could do it. I'm even earning some extra credit on the side! The sad part is that it's not like they couldn't live without their phones, rather, they simply refuse to even try.

I don't wanna make this another "us old folks" versus "them damn kids" thing, but I have less and less faith in the younger crowd every day. Detachment from a 5 oz piece of plastic is too much for 90% of my English class to handle... that's pretty sad. 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
Carnack
Carnack
2. RE: Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 28 2011, 8:21 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 28 2011, 8:21 PM EST
Considering connectivity is such a big thing nowadays it's not surprising seeing people refuse to get rid of them especially for no reason.



Do you find this valuable?    
theghostnthedarkness
theghostnthedarkness
3. RE: Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 28 2011, 8:46 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 28 2011, 8:46 PM EST
"Incidentally, I gave up my cell phone voluntarily for 5 days (today is day two) for an assignment in my English class. I was only one of three people that chose to do so - ironically, the three of us in the class who actually pay our own cell phone bills - but none of the rest of class could do it. I'm even earning some extra credit on the side! The sad part is that it's not like they couldn't live without their phones, rather, they simply refuse to even try.

I don't wanna make this another "us old folks" versus "them damn kids" thing, but I have less and less faith in the younger crowd every day. Detachment from a 5 oz piece of plastic is too much for 90% of my English class to handle... that's pretty sad."
first off i put very little faith in todays youth.

now that i have put my opinion out there i was wondering how you are going to remember anybodys phone number without your phone LJ. i dont even know my moms phone number by heart.

if my phone wasnt the only way for me to get ahold of people to run my buisness then i wouldnt even use it on a daily basis. Do you find this valuable?    
LJ126
LJ126
4. RE: Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 28 2011, 9:36 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 28 2011, 9:37 PM EST
"now that i have put my opinion out there i was wondering how you are going to remember anybodys phone number without your phone LJ. i dont even know my moms phone number by heart."
Haha, that's a good point. I know like 2 or 3 numbers, but beyond that... I'm up the creek without a paddle. Fortunately for me, without a phone, their numbers are virtually irrelevant!! I'll be honest, I feel kinda naked without my phone, and it sucks. If I wasn't getting EC for the class (since its an honors Eng. Comp class) I wouldn't do it.

Good to see you posting again too Ghost! :) Do you find this valuable?    
Filadog
Filadog
5. RE: Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 29 2011, 5:59 AM EST | Post edited: Jan 29 2011, 5:59 AM EST
Ive tried to call people befor at New Years and couldn't get through because of the volume of calls. Think same thing happens after some disasters , have a friend in NY that couldn't call out after 9/11
Of course right now the goverment in Egypt shut down all cell phones and the internet in the ccountry.

I am far from being a young person and I know I have a very hard time and don't feel comfortable if I don't have my smart phone on me all the time. Would be the hardest thing for me to give up and I think probably the same for most people.
I even see Amish with cell phones a good bit now

Kind of funny but I lived for years and didn't even have a land line phone in my house. I had one over in the barn I could use but never hooked up one in my house.......How the world has changed !. Do you find this valuable?    
chitoryu12
chitoryu12
6. RE: Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 29 2011, 1:42 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 29 2011, 1:42 PM EST
My cell phone gets a crap signal in random places. Not just far from cell towers like out at the range in Ocala, but just walking into the local Publixes my signal drops to nothing, while the local Wal-Marts are perfectly fine. Certain buildings just don't let cell signals in. 0  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
Drakkarius
Drakkarius
7. RE: Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 29 2011, 1:47 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 29 2011, 1:47 PM EST
I've never even had a cell phone. I don't get what the big deal is... ^^' Do you find this valuable?    
AlexHigginbotham
AlexHigginbotham
8. RE: Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 29 2011, 3:04 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 29 2011, 3:04 PM EST
I'm not worried about using my phone for communication. I have a bunch of survival and first aid apps as well as .pdf's store on my phone. I bought a phone charger that plugs into my crank radio so I always have access to my survival documents. 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
Carnack
Carnack
9. RE: Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 29 2011, 3:12 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 29 2011, 3:12 PM EST
"I've never even had a cell phone. I don't get what the big deal is... ^^'"
Agreed Drakk. I'll probably buy one for the sake of practicality but other than that I see no point.

Why the heck would you want to be able to be contacted every moment of every day. Sounds awful to me. Do you find this valuable?    
2WheeledSpeed
2WheeledSpeed
10. RE: Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 29 2011, 4:34 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 29 2011, 4:34 PM EST
When the streets aren't covered in snow and ice.... I love riding my motorcycle for hours, partially because absolutely no one can get in touch with me on my cell phone. It's nice to get away even for a little while. There's no temptation to check my phone for missed calls or texts because I have this strange desire to not die :)

I know I can live without my phone (And I have), I simply choose not to because there really is no better way to get in touch with people when I need to. I could live without a car too, or without electricity, or beer, or a lot of things! But most of us like our modern conveniences.

I have a CB radio in my truck now for short range communicating if the SHTF, and several of my friends do too. 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
Drakkarius
Drakkarius
11. RE: Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 29 2011, 4:47 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 29 2011, 4:47 PM EST
"Agreed Drakk. I'll probably buy one for the sake of practicality but other than that I see no point.

Why the heck would you want to be able to be contacted every moment of every day. Sounds awful to me. "
I think if I do, I'll go strait to something with actual applications other than babbling and such... Maybe an Evo... Idunno. :P Do you find this valuable?    
Carnack
Carnack
12. RE: Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 29 2011, 4:57 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 29 2011, 4:57 PM EST
"I think if I do, I'll go strait to something with actual applications other than babbling and such... Maybe an Evo... Idunno. :P"
Meh there are few people I want to speak with.

Applications would be my draw. Do you find this valuable?    
byates
byates
13. RE: Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 29 2011, 5:45 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 29 2011, 5:45 PM EST
Seem to recall that the cell networks could be restricted to official traffic during emergencies. That could cause some problems for us lesser mortals. Do you find this valuable?    

Holocaust
14. RE: Why cell phones won't work during the Panic
Jan 31 2011, 11:52 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 31 2011, 11:52 PM EST
yes cell phones would not work as has been said too many people using it plus the people running the lines are not going to continue running them once things go down and this includes the cell phone towers and with no electricity you will have to charge it with those radios as has been said again that can be plugged in to radios :D Do you find this valuable?    

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