Seeking Simplicity, Cellphone Refuseniks Complicate Their Lives

Cellphone refuseniks, those who, despite the example of rest of us, simply refuse to use cellphones, are dwindling in number, according to a New York Times report. Despite this, those still in that group seem as stubborn as ever.

Of course, the original term "refusenik" was an unofficial term applied to individuals, typically, but not exclusively, Soviet Jews, who were denied permission to emigrate abroad by authorities of the former U.S.S.R. and other Eastern bloc countries. Since then, the term has become commonly used for protesters in general.

While many of these cellphone refuseniks aim to simplify their lives by having some level of privacy and some degree of control over who can contact them when, their moral stance makes their lives more complex, as well as complicating the lives of their friends and family.

An example, from the NYT story, is that of Linda Mboya, 32, a resident of Brooklyn.

A friend who lives on the top floor of a house in Brooklyn has an apartment buzzer that's almost always broken. Most people would simply call using their cellphone to announce their arrival. Instead, Mboya makes noise to disturb the dogs who live on the first floor, who then bark and alert her friend. Works well, except what if the family with the dogs moves?

The lack of a cellphone means spontaneity in terms of get-togethers is pretty much unheard of for Mboya. And, it annoys her friends, who feel all the pre-planning is unnecessary and exhausting. Sheila Shirazi, one of Mboya's friends, said:

“I can only do that periodically. I don’t have the time and energy to coordinate to the extent it takes with somebody who isn’t mobile. It’s just not something I’m used to.”

It would be more understandable if these refuseniks simply couldn't afford a cellphonee, but for many, it's a moral issue.

Closer to home, I know someone who won't get a cellphone, despite the fact that she drives a pretty unreliable car. It last broke down in the middle of the freeway, and she had to hike to one of the roadside emergency phones. Not a big deal for an adult, but what if she had been traveling with her grandchild?

The reason this person does not want a cellphone: she doesn't want her husband to be able to constantly check on her. To be honest, this is why many workers feel they have no life outside work any longer. Many are given work cellphones, with email plans on them, and are expected to be 100% reachable at all times. Some refuseniks eschew cellphones for that reason.

However, for a grandmother to refuse to carry a cellphone and still want permission to take her grandchild in an unreliable car for a day trip? That's a lot to ask of the child's parents. The hope, and expectation of the parents: when the girl gets old enough to get a cellphone of her own, she'll probably guilt and embarrass grandma into getting one.