I agree that we managed fine without them, but that doesn't mean we should ditch a technological advance, just because we don't actually *need* it.
The reason I'm happy to be tied into a mobile contract is:
1. I make a lot of calls and it works out cheaper having a contract;
2. By getting a contract with lots of minutes, I never need to use the landline, therefore saving a lot of money on landline calls;
3. I'm away or on the move with work quite a lot and it's a hell of a lot cheaper to use my mobile than a payphone or hotel phone
4. By having a phone that can synch with my PC diary/contacts and that has a good camera (like the new one I'm getting), I've immediately saved money instead of having multiple devices and it also means I don't need to carry around a diary/address book/etc at the same time. One device for everything!
We managed fine without the Internet. We went to libraries and read books. But the Internet is faster, often more up-to-date and accurate and is usually more convenient than visiting a library. We don't *need* the Internet, but we all use it. Mobile phones are kinda similar IMO.
D
