knafelc wrote on Apr 15^th, 2012 at 12:11am:

-with every loss there a gain...with every gain there is a loss. I've been hoping that this whole computer/techno thing would go out of style as some bad dream/poor taste idea of the marginalized youth and antisocial neard sector.  But alas! (is that still a word ?)-hopes of that actually happening,are right up there with the hopes of the guys who at the turn of the last century,hoped that the internal combustion engine and electricity(not to mention fences), would  just please go away...

I am actually quite sympathetic to your position. I dislike MP3 players and Ipod type noise making devices as well as electronic gaming systems. These devices would have no place on my trips. In my mind they are enemies to be avoided like the plague. One has to free of such things before the serenity of wild places can have a chance to take hold. To be honest, I find it hard to achieve that stillness of soul even in large talkative groups........someone is always drowning out the sound of the wind in the trees, the dragonfly as it makes a hard turn in flight and the gentle flip of a small bass.............

Having said that I do not compare a SAT phone as obtrusive at all. Even if one makes the occasional "I'm OK" call it encompasses what perhaps a few minutes tops. Otherwise it stays tucked away. Same with the SPOT. The sending of a message (I'm OK) is not much different than the myriad of other tasks one does about camp and honestly much less than a typical camp chore.

Am I trying to justify my position. Perhaps.....I just see the communication devices as rather unobtrusive for the most part, as in "what's the big deal"? I don't "get it"........that is, the animosity. (Now if it stayed on and crackled all day like a VHF marine radio that would be totally annoying........that I could understand).