ON WORK
LUCY KELLAWAY: How losing my smartphone rang in some positive changes
LAST Wednesday, after a seven-day break, I rejoined the modern world. For a full week I had done something frightening, shaming, yet ultimately liberating. I had been without a phone.This strange period started in Washington DC in a taxi bound for the airport. I had spent the journey doing e-mails on my phone, which I put on the seat to pay the driver, only to leave the cab without it.In airport security a few minutes later, I reached in my bag. No phone. I emptied it on to the floor. Nothing. My heart started to race, my breathing turned shallow and I was prickling with sweat.I’ve lost my phone, I wailed at the person next to me. Half-a-dozen people overheard, and an impromptu crisis team formed.Someone tried to ring my number, but it was on silent. Others asked if I knew the name of the cab company and if I’d paid by card? No and no, I said.Already I’d learnt two things. People in general are very nice. And on the scale of human calamities, losing your phone is now seen as up ther...
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