Man who has never owned a smartphone says they're a 'plague' and 'terrible'

20 September 2023 , 12:35

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Yves Lombardot is staunchly against smartphones (Image: Yves Lombardot / SWNS)

A pensioner who has never owned a smartphone labels them as a "plague" and "a terrible deterioration of life".

Yves Lombardot, 70, admits he'll have to succumb to the digital age but is fearful of smartphones and leaving traces of his personal information online. His decision to abstain from owning a smartphone was made "long before they were invented", as he claims he foresaw the societal "doom" he believes they now bring.

Mr Lombardot, of Godalming, opts for more traditional means of communication, such as landlines or emails to stay in touch with his loved ones. The languages teacher is particularly concerned about the impact of technology on younger generations, asserting that children are being "robbed" of their lives due to the "excessive intrusion" of tech devices.

However, Mr Lombardot acknowledges the challenges his choice presents, especially when travelling, as he often finds himself asking others for information. This, he admits, may eventually lead him to purchase a smartphone, albeit one he plans to use as "rarely as possible".

"Smartphones turn employees into slaves, children into prey, and teenagers into idiots. I consider this as a plague, and a terrible deterioration of life. I don't want to be available at times that I haven't chosen. I am terrified of leaving information about myself everywhere. I'm afraid of thieves and muggers who would attack me to steal it. I don't want to have a list of calls and messages to make when I come home in the evening. I don't want to be rude with the people I am with if am called. I'm worried about losing, misplacing or breaking something expensive that would be with me all the time," Mr Lombardot said.

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However, his decision to forgo a smartphone has not been without its challenges. Mr Lombardot admitted: "Not having a smartphone closes doors, especially as it excludes the use of QR codes. Travelling, going to shows or sport venues is far more complicated."

He recalled a recent incident at Gatwick Airport where he had to rely on a stranger's kindness due to the absence of an information desk, saying: "I had to ask a kind-looking youngster to get the info I needed from his smartphone."

Despite these hurdles, Mr Lombardot maintains that his family has never struggled to connect with him and he doesn't feel like he's missing out on social occasions. While he acknowledges feeling left behind as technology advances, he remains unfazed, declaring, "I don't care." Mr Lombardot reminisced about his generation's dreams and struggles, saying: "My generation dreamt of life on Earth on a human scale. We fought for it. We failed. But we tried, and it was immense fun."

Uninterested in contemporary culture, Mr Lombardot finds solace in the classics, boasting, "I have at home the best literature ever written, the best music ever composed, a wonderful garden, and a fabulous cat."

Despite his aversion to smartphones, Yves embraces other forms of technology. He revealed, "I use tech to get information. I speak four languages, and I read the news online in those four languages daily. I watch quite a lot of documentaries on YouTube, and I cherry-pick those parts of tech that I find useful for myself."

In a passionate plea for balance, an individual known as Mr Lombardot has voiced his concerns about the pervasive influence of technology in our lives. "I am not against progress - I am against tech obliterating everything else," he declared.

Mr Lombardot expressed his belief that the younger generation is being deprived of their best years due to the excessive intrusion of technology. He stated, "I believe that today's children and youths have been robbed of the best time in their lives by the excessive intrusion of tech."

Despite his reservations, Mr Lombardot acknowledges the inevitability of having to adapt to the digital age. He shared, "I know I will have to get a smartphone one day, as I don't want to be found dead in my empty kitchen because I was unable to order food when all the shops have gone."

Currently, Mr Lombardot owns a basic mobile phone which he keeps in his car for emergencies. However, if he ever upgrades to a smartphone, he intends to use it sparingly. He concluded with a poignant reflection: "I absolutely feel more present in life without one, though."

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