Come To The Slocan Valley, Where Your Cell Phone Won't Work

from the sounds-of-silence dept

Tue, Jul 24th 2007 9:42am — Carlo Longino

As the move towards the hyperconnected lifestyle -- in which people are never out of touch, whether from work or friends and family -- continues, the backlash against it rises. A group of citizens in a rural Canadian valley have asked a telco there not to build a planned cell tower, but not for the usual reasons. It's not unusual for communities to object to towers on aesthetic grounds, or because of health concerns, but people in this community don't want the tower as a tourist attraction. They hope to sell their area to visitors based on its lack of cell coverage, promising them a visit uninterrupted by "the incessant sound of ringtones, immediately followed by someone's shouted conversation." While this approach might be a bit extreme, since it denies the area's residents and visitors the benefits mobile phones can provide, as well as cutting down on the annoyances, it's not particularly surprising. As people get more and more fed up with many mobile users' manners, this sort of blunt-force way of dealing with things could become more popular.

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Filed Under: manners, mobile, wireless

100 Comments

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MrPaladin, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:04am

more harm...
.. then good...

I would not vacation anywhere that I could not stay intouch... and in my opinion those who want to get away from cellphones have alot of other choices then their town...
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- Hidden Force, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:24am
  
  Re: more harm...
  "I would not vacation anywhere that I could not stay intouch..."
  
  Psst! That's why this guy named Alexander Gra... something, I can't remember his name, but he invented a contraption that allows people to talk to each other by means of an electromechanical device that carries sound over wires.
  
  I've even heard that there are boxes into which one deposits coins, which in turn allows the user to use one of these electromechanical contrivances to communicate with people in distant lands.
  
  It's amazing the inventions that people think up these days!
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Mystified, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:02am
  
  Re: more harm...
  You can always stay in touch by landline - the hotel desk will take a message and give it to you when you return. If you need to be SO in touch that you MUST have a cellphone - then GET A LIFE!
  
  btw - more harm THAN good (not then)
  & - ... have a lot (note the space) of other choices THAN their town (again, not then) But at least you used the correct their instead of there or they're.
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- Nasty Old Geezer, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:01pm
  
  Re: more harm...
  Hey -- then go somewhere else for vacation. We will both enjoy it more.
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- BTR1701, 25 Jul 2007 @ 4:12am
  
  Re: more harm...
  > I would not vacation anywhere that
  > I could not stay intouch
  
  You *can* stay "in touch", just not using a cell phone. This town still has landlines, it's just blessedly free from the incessant ringing and annoying conversations in places like restaurants and movie theaters and city parks.
  
  You want to call home and check on the family? No problem. Just do it from your hotel room phone where no one else has to be bothered by it.
  
  Sounds like heaven to me.
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anonymous coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:05am

honey look, those ostriches have their heads buried in the sand!

FIRST
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- name, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:11am
  
  Re:
  hahaha u werent first
  
  the people in this town need to rethink their stance on this cause i cant see how its going to bennifit anyone! if you dont wanna hear a ringtone or someone's loud voice then just turn the damn thing off.
  
  quite simple
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  - Strofcon, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:30am
    
    Re: Re:
    The idea is that you can't force other people to turn off THEIR annoying ringtones, and stop THEM from having ludicrously loud conversations. Of course a person can turn off their own cell phone, but they are so pervasive that it's nearly impossible to get away from them, short of a solution such as this town's.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Sean, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:00am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Every one could just do what I do never have the phone on silent you get a call in a restaurant step out side if you need to talk on it or call back at a better time like when in the car.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:24am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        "call back at a better time like when in the car."
        
        I hope you roll hands free.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:59am
    
    Re: Re:
    if you dont wanna hear a ringtone or someone's loud voice then just turn the damn thing off.
    How many times have you tried to turn of someone else's cell phone? How did that go?
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    - name, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:04pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      well the only time i get annoyed by SOMEONE ELSE'S phone is when im in a theater. any other time I JUST MOVE THE FUCK ON and dont listen to it. again, quite simple. who the hell finds a phone ringing OUTSIDE annoying to the point where you try to find a town that basically out-laws cells phones? ridiculous.
      
      and if all else fails just punch them in the FACE. ive done it and it worked just fine, thanks for asking.
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      - NoName, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:29pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        name, you sound a lot like a neighbor I used to have before someone finally shot and killed him. (I had nothing to do with it) He used to really disturb the neighborhood with loud "music" all hours of the day and night. Things are much better now.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - My name here, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:14am
    
    Re: Re:
    if I don't want to hear a ring tone, or someone's loud voice... shut the damn thing off???
    
    OK! Excuse, me... can I shut your Cellphone off?
    
    Dang, that didn't work...
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - El Marko, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:39pm
    
    Re: Re:
    The idea is that no one's phone would work your goober.
    
    Of course I can turn off my phone.
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  - Joel Melcosky, 24 Jul 2007 @ 2:26pm
    
    you missed the point dude!
    How do you go about turning off others cell phones?
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  - smart guy, 24 Jul 2007 @ 4:24pm
    
    Re: Re:
    I think it's more the fact that people want to get away from OTHER peoples phones that they CAN'T turn off.
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Bryan, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:12am

Staying in touch 24/7 is burning out the whole country. People need to get away every now and then.
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Beck, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:13am

Summer Camp
My son's summer camp does not allow the kids to have cell phones. They say "Don't bring cell phones because they don't work here anyway."

Beautiful.
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- MrPaladin, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:19am
  
  Re: Summer Camp
  Just came back from a youth trip where cellphones wernt allowed... but the towers worked...
  
  all the kids had a great time and there was cellphone towers Egad!
  
  The needs of the many outweigh the irritations of the few...
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  - Strofcon, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:33am
    
    Re: Re: Summer Camp
    "The needs of the many outweigh the irritations of the few..."
    
    Since when is a cell phone a "need?" Since when do we "need" everyone to have one?
    
    If you "need" to be in touch with ANYONE at all hours of the day, then you should never leave that person's side. Dependency is a terrible thing when taken to an extreme like it has been.
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    - Mystified, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:03am
      
      Re: Re: Re: Summer Camp
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    - Mystified, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:06am
      
      Re: Re: Re: Summer Camp
      The 'need' is the need of people to get away from the daily grind, not the cellphone. The 'irritations' are the idiots who think they can't survive for 15 minutes without making a cellphone call.
      
      My apologies for the blank post above.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:14am
    
    Re: Re: Summer Camp
    The needs of the many outweigh the irritations of the few...
    You know, this bigoted idea of "majority right" is why we still need laws to protect minorities.
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    - MrPaladin, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:19am
      
      Re: Re: Re: Summer Camp
      "You know, this bigoted idea of "majority right" is why we still need laws to protect minorities."
      
      Who is being hurt???
      Protecting minoritys... People who go Tsk because some idiot forgot to turn off a cellphone...
      
      you wanna make change in the right way... Start telling your friends not to be jerks... eventually noones a jerk...
      
      I don't see how taking down a cellphone tower is gonna stop an irrate ninny from not being irrate at something else next...
      
      Comming to think of it.. the noise of cars annoys the heck out of me... lets not allow cars in town either... people can stil lget around... and think of the people who would love to come to our carless town!!!!
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      - Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:00pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Summer Camp
        you wanna make change in the right way... Start telling your friends not to be jerks... eventually noones a jerk...
        You really think everyone in the world is my personal friend and I could eliminate all jerks if only I wanted to? Then you, my friend, are what is known as an "idiot".
        
        Comming to think of it..
        I somehow doubt that.
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      - Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:09pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Summer Camp
        "Who is being hurt???"
        Oh, so you're one of those who gives the middle finger to everyone else in the movie theater while you yak away, huh? If you really can't understand how that "hurts" someone else's right to be let alone, then I'm surprised you haven't been the one getting "hurt" yet by someone trying to "teach" you.
        
        Or maybe you have and that's why you're whining here where it's nice and safe.
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        name, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:28pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Summer Camp
        "...can't understand how that "hurts" someone else's right to be let alone..."
        
        maybe you should leave the "yakers" alone!!! they may piss u off but THEY HAVE RIGHTS ALSO!!!
        
        oh wait, ur always right. sorry :(
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        Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:34pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Summer Camp
        "maybe you should leave the "yakers" alone!!! they may piss u off but THEY HAVE RIGHTS ALSO!!!
        oh wait, ur always right. sorry :("
        What a comment from someone who claims to go around punching people in face when their phone annoys him!
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        name, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:41pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Summer Camp
        lol not much to come back at me with this time dumbass?
        
        yeah, i punch everyone that answers their cell phone in my presence!! fun times
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        Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:41pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Summer Camp
        Hey "name", you forgot to nym-shift back to "MrPaladin" on this one. Gettin' kinda sloppy there.
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        name, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:44pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Summer Camp
        yeah, i apologize.
        
        will not happen again
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        MrPaladin..., 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:36pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Summer Camp
        hey chump, that was not me... if you want my input on it here it is...
        
        yes, people who use cell phones is movie theatres and other close public places is annoying to those around...
        
        So your solution is to stop all cell phone use altogether because some fool has no social consideration...
        
        That my friend, is moronic...
        
        Back to the point, this town is doing this in the hopes of boosting its tourism... and I say again, it wont ammount to a hill of beans... they can have al lthe dead zone they want, but unless they do something else nothing will come of this dink town...
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Joel Melcosky, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:56pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Summer Camp
        There is more than one town involved. The Slocan Valley encompasses a fairly remote area in BC inhabited mainly by 'granola types'. I completely understand why they don't want their sleepy little community to be disturbed by the incessant, mosquito like ringing of cell phones. For God's sake, what did we do before cellular communication? We survived, we used landlines........ Reffering to the community in question as a 'dink town' only show to me that you are a dink!
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Joel Melcosky, 24 Jul 2007 @ 2:35pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Summer Camp
        Nowhere does the story state that they want to 'boost their tourism' by avoiding cell coverage. It simply states that they will sell this destination as a cell free zone. Guess what? They haven't had cell coverage up to and including right now, has this hurt tourism in the area? Are people going to completely bypass the Slocan Valley because, "OMG, I cant, like, text my friendz!!111!!" It seems highly unlikely (and somewhat impossible as there are only so many highways running through this area.
        There are a lot of areas in Manitoba that have no cell coverage, particularly in the north. Life goes on...... Personally, I think the Slocan Valley area is better off without the likes of Mr. Paladin.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:51pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Summer Camp
      US law is not global law. It's cool that there is a country that was intended to protect the rights of the few from the many (intentions people, not necessarily reality) but people REALLY need to stop thinking that the US is the only country in the world and that its views are universally shared.
      
      Its one of the reasons Bush is just about the worst president we ever had. He treats his neighbors like shit.
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- Byron Ware, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:58pm
  
  Re: Summer Camp
  Amen, amen...
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Neil, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:19am

And since no one knows how to turn off their cell phones we should all go to the Slocan Valley to 'get away' ;)
Or maybe we can try this thing called self control.
Wouldn't predators like to know that there is no reception in certain areas so they can target stranded motorists.
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- Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:03am
  
  Re:
  Or maybe we can try this thing called self control.
  Hey genius, when you impose it on other people it is no longer "self" control.
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Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:24am

Service?
Heck I live in Montana. If I don't want cell phone service all I have to do is drive 30 miles outside of any major town.
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Haywood, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:30am

Sounds like heaven on earth
Hopefully, more towns will op out of service.
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Sneeje, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:33am

Hyperconnectedness is the new "Rock Music"
This is just called progress. And I mean that in neither a pejorative or complementary way. Those folks grumping about hyperconnectedness are no different than the folks in the 50s complaining about how the loud rock music wasn't music and was ruining everything, especially the youth.
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You're All Serious?, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:36am

C'mon guys
Self control? Turn them off? This isn't about the individual who can't disconnect themselves. It's talking about a community here. That means more than one person. It's a group of people who value peace and quiet and aren't very fond of all the twits that think they need to yell into their mouth-piece so that their twit friend in the coffee shop down the road can hear each and every pointless word they're saying. It's a choice made by a community of 600 people. Hardly world changing, so take a breath and focus your energies elsewhere.
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- name, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:37pm
  
  Re: C'mon guys
  they are trying to make it seem appealing for vacationers, thats the point. and i quite frankly find it hard to believe that you cant find peace and quite from cell phones anywhere else in the world, with or without cell phone towers. uhh, if the people "yaking away" on the phones annoy you so much then just dont pay attention. perhaps thats where we need to focus our energy. IGNORE THE IDIOTS, sorta like im going to do with whoever reply to this post :) .
  
  have a great day ladies
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  - Nasty Old Geezer, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:53pm
    
    Re: Re: C'mon guys
    "IGNORE THE IDIOTS" starting with you.
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Lela, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:39am

Freaking Luddites
As much as I hate cell phones, I can't imagine living without it, and I presume that no cell towers would also mean that my T-Mobile wi-fi device wouldn't work either. Fuggadaboutit. I'm not going anywhere for ten seconds where I can't check my email, and if that makes me a slave, baby, snap on the chains...
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- Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:08am
  
  Re: Freaking Luddites
  Fuggadaboutit. I'm not going anywhere...
  I have an idea that they wouldn't want you there either.
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insomniac, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:39am

Huh sorry boss I didn't mean to cost the company 1.5 million dollars during downtime but my town has no cell service and why pay for a lan line and have two phones ? Sorry won't fly for me I need my cell on 24x7. But as for annoying ring tones that a whole different discussion. Annoying dance beats, screaming voices such as "hey, answer the f'n phone!" Why cant people just be polite and use vibrate in public places anyway.
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- InkChemist, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:09am
  
  Re:
  polite? I think I've heard that word somewhere before. If I could just remember ...
  
  If I had a dollar for every polite person I interact with each day I'd be flat broke busted.
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- Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 2:25pm
  
  Re:
  "... why pay for a lan line ..."
  
  I seriously how you ment LAND line.
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- BTR1701, 25 Jul 2007 @ 4:19am
  
  Re: Sad
  > Sorry won't fly for me I need my cell on 24x7.
  
  I pity you.
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Overcast, 24 Jul 2007 @ 10:47am

Yeah, I agree - it's good to get away from the 'tether' every now and then.

As for..

Huh sorry boss I didn't mean to cost the company 1.5 million dollars during downtime but my town has no cell service and why pay for a lan line and have two phones ? Sorry won't fly for me I need my cell on 24x7

Maybe it should be 'Sorry Boss, that you didn't plan for employee vacation and lost a million bucks'.
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MrPaladin, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:07am

the point..
the point is they are supposedly doing this to help their tourism...

and it wont work... there are many many other places to vacation where cell phone signals are nil...

IRT those who quoted me... Get with the times... the advantages of cell phones over wired phones are many and varied... and by the 'needs of the many' take a look at how many people are wireless over wired these days and what the trend is looking like...
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Lela, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:10am

Ringtones should die
I could happily live in a world without ringtones; as a matter of fact, I'd like to bitch slap the idiot who invented customized ringtones. How hard is it to set the ringer to vibrate and save the rest of us from having to become a part of your pitiful existence? Middle-aged fat men with beer bellies, answering to the call of the theme song from Rocky.
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Bill, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:14am

No Cell Phone Towers!
Wonderful!
I feel sorry for people who have to be wired 24/7/12. From what I over hear in open conversations at work, even in the men's bathroom is not very interesting and of little content. For the guys who talk to your girlfriend while sitting on the pot - how disgusting!

I'll vacation there anytime. Oh my cell phone is on only when I need it. I purchased 1,000 minutes and have managed to use only 23 minutes.

Bill
Phoenix
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MrPaladin, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:23am

Happy vacation Bill
Bill send me a postcard if you ever visit this town...

$10 says you never do, and few will do it on a no cellphone draw... This will not help their tourism...
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- Not Bill, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:12pm
  
  Re: Happy vacation Bill
  "Bill send me a postcard if you ever visit this town...
  $10 says you never do, and few will do it on a no cellphone draw... This will not help their tourism..."
  
  Dear MrPaladin,
  Why, sure! Please post your mailing address.
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Charles Griswold, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:32am

Freakin' Awesome!
Not having to hear other people's ringtones and shouting into cell phones? Great! I think I'll go vacation there. Heck, I think I'll move there.*

And BTW, if you don't want to vacation there because your cell phone won't work, then don't. No one is forcing you.

* Well, no, not really. It's in Canada and I wouldn't be able to take my guns. :-/
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- Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2016 @ 4:26pm
  
  Re: Freakin' Awesome!
  You jerk
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vapiddreamer, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:38am

It not that I don't know how to turn off mine. . .
It's you jackasses that don't know how to turn off yours that I'm trying to get away from. Not the voice on the other end of my phone but your incessant yammering about a million idiotic things, the minutia of your day that I would definitely pay to avoid.
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SP, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:41am

Good for them!
If I lived in this town I'd be all for banning the cell tower. I tend to agree with the majority here... If you really need to "keep in touch" 24/7 when you're supposed to be ON VACATION, you REALLY need to get a damn life. We survived JUST FINE 30 years ago with no cell phones and there's no reason why they should have EVER become so damn "important." When I go on vacation I sure as hell do NOT want to be annoyed by hearing 30 stupid, loud ringtones going off and then listening to a bunch of jabbering idiots talking about shit that is so STUPID...IT CAN WAIT UNTIL YOU GET INSIDE AND CAN USE A LANDLINE PHONE. NOTHING is "so important" that you MUST talk about it NOW on that damn cell phone that is surgically attached to your fucking ear. It drives me crazy... Do you people realize how retarded you look wearing that damn bluetooth headset that's ON YOUR EAR 24/7?!?! You idiots probably sleep with the damn things, don't you? Cause you just NEVER KNEW when that "important" phone call will strike!!!! GET A GOD DAMNED LIFE. The whole point of a VACATION is to GET AWAY from things for a well. This means...LEAVE THE CELL PHONE AT HOME OR TURN THE DAMN THING...OFF! Call the "loved ones" back home once every other night...not once every 20 minutes...
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- Lela, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:54am
  
  Re: Good for them!
  I agree that way too many people yammer on their phones about stupid pointless carp that I don't want to hear about, but it isn't for you to decide that people on vacation should call home once every other night.
  
  There will be a homicide, and it will be over a cell phone, if it hasn't happened yet, it will one day soon. Some redneck, God bless him, is going to turn around in the booth at Denny's and plant a bullet right into the back of the head of some yuppie who wouldn't lower his voice.
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  - MrPaladin, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:58am
    
    Re: Re: Good for them!
    And 'would' this the fault of the Yuppie... The Redneck... or the cellphone tower?
    
    whos to say its not a yuppie shooting a redneck anyway...
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    - Lela, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:29pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Good for them!
      And 'would' this the fault of the Yuppie... The Redneck... or the cellphone tower?
      
      whos to say its not a yuppie shooting a redneck anyway
      
      Easy. The redneck's mobile phone has already been shut off because he didn't pay the bill.
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      - MrPaladin, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:39pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Good for them!
        [insert fake clap here]
        
        your point is still invalid...
        your arguement ammounts to if I drive a car therefore I'm responsible for those who crash them?
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- Hulser, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:25pm
  
  Re: Good for them!
  If you really need to "keep in touch" 24/7 when you're supposed to be ON VACATION, you REALLY need to get a damn life.
  I have a life, thank you very much and it happens to include talking to people on my cell phone. I'm no fan of people that suffer from Loud Talker Syndrome, but who are you to tell others how they should or should not spend their vacation? Maybe to you a vacation is to get away from it all, but here's a news flash: not everyone thinks like you.
  We survived JUST FINE 30 years ago with no cell phones and there's no reason why they should have EVER become so damn "important."
  What is this obsession with people equating the use of a cell phone with an overblown sense of self importance? Yes, I have a cell phone. But so do millions of other people. It's been years if not decades since owning a cell phone has been any kind of status symbol.
  
  And who's talking about just surviving anyway? I may be able to "survive" by living in a cave and hunting animals, but -- here's another news flash for you -- people don't like to just survive. And what's wrong with that?
  
  It don't think having a cell phone makes me more important than anyone else. I don't think a cell phone gives me the right to be rude in public. I don't "need" a cell phone to survive. I just have a cell phone that I use to talk to my friends, family, and co-workers. It's as simple as that.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:37pm
    
    Re: Re: Good for them!
    "...who are you to tell others how they should or should not spend their vacation?"
    And likewise, you? If these folks want to do this in their town then that should be up to them.
    
    "Maybe to you a vacation is to get away from it all, but here's a news flash: not everyone thinks like you."
    Or you. I suggest that you pick somewhere else for your vacation.
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    - Hulser, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:47pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Good for them!
      And likewise, you? If these folks want to do this in their town then that should be up to them.
      Maybe you should read my post again. Nowhere did I voice any criticism of the town for not wanting to have a cell tower. I think they should have the right to decide, as a community, whether they want a cell phone in their area. And if someone wants to go there on vacation to get away, fine.
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HAHAHAHAHA, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:43am

MrPaladin, you slay me!
"you wanna make change in the right way... Start telling your friends not to be jerks... eventually noones a jerk..."

Ya know, I've never thought of that! It's SO EASY! And foolproof!
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- MrPaladin, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:06pm
  
  Re: MrPaladin, you slay me!
  Tell me about it... its like a 'pay it forward' that involves a slap upside the head
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MrPaladin, 24 Jul 2007 @ 11:46am

Denial of service good for Tourism
I hear a few people here saying how irrate they are at some jerks for being ignorant of people around them...

But can anyone link me to a thread where any denial of services has resulted in the growth or promotion of tourism...
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- HG,WT, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:28pm
  
  Re: Denial of service good for Tourism
  "But can anyone link me to a thread where any denial of services has resulted in the growth or promotion of tourism..."
  They're trying something different to differentiate themselves from their competitors. It's called "innovation". That's a theme around here, not that a telco shill would understand such things.
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  - MrPaladin, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:48pm
    
    Re: Re: Denial of service good for Tourism
    "They're trying something different to differentiate themselves from their competitors. It's called "innovation". That's a theme around here, not that a telco shill would understand such things."
    
    in·no·va·tion /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-uh-vey-shuhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
    –noun 1. something new or different introduced: numerous innovations in the high-school curriculum.
    2. the act of innovating; introduction of new things or methods.
    
    Frankly I don't care if they have cell phone towers or not... but the lack of towers will not help their tourism...
    Its not innovation to be a backwater town... Theres several area's within 30 miles of here that have 0 cell phone signal, I do not see droves of irrate cell phone hating folk comming over to spend vacations...
    
    you know why the website http://www.cellphonefreevacations.com/ is not popular? because theres no market... You don't need a town to have no cellphone policy for you to vacation away from cellphones...
    
    Heres your innovation... Offer a free cell phone to anyone who vacations in your town! I bet you you'll get more tourists visiting... they'll even have a digital camera to record their experience in your town and self promote it... and I bet theres money to be made in your town selling accessories for the free cellphones.. and processing pictures...
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    - Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:57pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Denial of service good for Tourism
      "you know why the website http://www.cellphonefreevacations.com/ is not popular?"
      Yeah, I sure do. It's because it's a "parked domain".
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    - Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:13pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Denial of service good for Tourism
      "Frankly I don't care if they have cell phone towers or not..."
      I don't believe that's quite true. I think the telcos, and hence their shills, would actually be quite concerned if this idea were to spread.
      
      "Theres several area's within 30 miles of here that have 0 cell phone signal, I do not see droves of irrate cell phone hating folk comming over to spend vacations..."
      It takes a little more than a lack of cell phones to make for a vacation area.
      
      "Heres your innovation... Offer a free cell phone to anyone who vacations in your town!"
      Perfect example of typical telco "innovation": just more of the same. Telcos have been giving away what they call "free" (big lie) phones ever since they got in the cell business. That's not really innovative, but if you really think so, then you "innovate" your way and let these townspeople innovate their way.
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      - MrPaladin, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:31pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Denial of service good for Tourism
        Haha yer I'm a telco 'shrill' WTF is that anyway...
        
        I'm just your regular joe... with a regular job...
        
        I could pull 100 innovations out of my arse better then this one for improving that dink towns tourisim... I chose to use the example of a cell phone give away to show how retarded the 'innovation' tact that was taken by a previous poster...
        
        Why is it that the Anon. cowards feel the need to label people when they have no idea who they are...
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        Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:45pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Denial of service good for Tou
        I'm just your regular joe... with a regular job...
        
        Uh huh..
        
        Why is it that the Anon. cowards feel the need to label people when they have no idea who they are...
        Well, if you go around walking like a duck and quacking like a duck,...
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        Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:49pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Denial of service good for Tou
        I chose to use the example of a cell phone give away to show how retarded the 'innovation' tact that was taken by a previous poster...
        And it failed miserably, like the rest of your arguments.
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        Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 2:01pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Denial of service good for Tou
        "Haha yer I'm a telco 'shrill' WTF is that anyway..."
        
        You're so "not" a shill that you can't even spell it or know what it is! Oh yeah, that's really convincing. Ha ha ha ha.....
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        MrPaladin, 24 Jul 2007 @ 2:11pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Denial of service good for
        Fine I looked it up...
        shill /ʃɪl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[shil] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation Slang.
        –noun 1. a person who poses as a customer in order to decoy others into participating, as at a gambling house, auction, confidence game, etc.
        2. a person who publicizes or praises something or someone for reasons of self-interest, personal profit, or friendship or loyalty.
        –verb (used without object) 3. to work as a shill: He shills for a large casino.
        –verb (used with object) 4. to advertise or promote (a product) as or in the manner of a huckster; hustle: He was hired to shill a new TV show.
        
        The only self intrest I have in this town is the undeniable fact I'll never visit there...
        
        meanwhile here are two words for you... sir...
        a·non·y·mous /əˈnɒnəməs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-non-uh-muhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
        –adjective 1. without any name acknowledged, as that of author, contributor, or the like: an anonymous letter to the editor; an anonymous donation.
        2. of unknown name; whose name is withheld: an anonymous author.
        3. lacking individuality, unique character, or distinction: an endless row of drab, anonymous houses.
        
        cow·ard /ˈkaʊərd/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kou-erd] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
        –noun 1. a person who lacks courage in facing danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc.; a timid or easily intimidated person.
        –adjective 2. lacking courage; very fearful or timid.
        3. proceeding from or expressive of fear or timidity: a coward cry.
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        George Bush, 24 Jul 2007 @ 2:31pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Denial of service good
        And I'm sure "MrPaladin" is your real name too. Like I'm really George Bush. Har, har, har.
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        MrPaladin, 25 Jul 2007 @ 4:13am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Denial of service
        Used this nick for about 5 years now... its more traceable then anything else I see on here...
        
        including you...
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        Charles Griswold, 25 Jul 2007 @ 9:44am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Denial of serv
        Used this nick for about 5 years now... its more traceable then anything else I see on here...
        There's not much that's more traceable than a real name, especially when accompanied by a link to a personal web page. :-)
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        MrPaladin, 25 Jul 2007 @ 9:58am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Denial of
        hehe I stand corrected...
        
        Good form Charles...
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    - Freakin' tired of MrPaladin'sBS, 24 Jul 2007 @ 2:43pm
      
      troll!!
      Ssshhhhhhhhhhhh........ don't feed the troll and he will go away!
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freak3dot, 24 Jul 2007 @ 12:18pm

At least they "asked a telco there not to build a planned cell tower..." Some people get irritated and just blow things up after they are built.

It may be worth a vacation up there just to use the payphone or phone behind the counter to have a loud conversation and see the irked people. No, I wouldn't want that bad karma.

One time I was in the same room with someone who had one of those first incomming minute free plans... Every 45 seconds or so, "call me back" That was annoying. Of course, this person didn't put the phone on silent either.

p.s. WI-FI has nothing to do with cell phone towers.

freak3dot
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- Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 2:14pm
  
  Re:
  
  p.s. WI-FI has nothing to do with cell phone towers.
  
  V-O-I-P
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Brodie, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:16pm

My home town makes tech news for being backwards!
I grew up in the Slocan Valley, and supported many users there.

It really is that backwards. Most computers are still not online and are essentially electric typewriters.

And I love it that when I'm away from the phone, I'm AWAY FROM THE PHONE!

Of course, now I'm in Vancouver. But it's still nice to go there to get away from the constant interruption that is always-on connections.
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SPR, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:16pm

Very little is more annoying than being forced to listen to that damn Nextel walkie-talkie beep and being forced to listen to both sides of a conversation I don't give a rats ass about. For those jerks, get a life and give the rest of us a break!!!
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- Hulser, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:41pm
  
  Re:
  OMG, I couldn't agree more. Is the second or two you save by using a walkie-talkie instead of a cell phone really worth annoying everyone within earshot of you?
  
  When talking on a cell phone, people have this weird tendency to raise their voice to near shouting levels. But at least most cell phone users can keep it down and you only ever hear half the conversation. But the walkie-talkies are twice as bad because the volume is turned up so high you get both sides of the conversation. Here's an idea: maybe if you turned the volume down, you wouldn't have to hold the walkie-talkie two feet from your head.
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Brodie, 24 Jul 2007 @ 3:12pm

Wireless VOIP
I've been working on wireless solutions for the Slocan for a few years now. I already have quite a bit of equipment and there is a long-distance WISP who services the region.

If people do plan on travelling here, I've been considering deploying WIFI and VOIP services in the area.

Pleas email bromac@gmail.com if you'd be interested in voice communications here without cell phones. I'll even give you recommendations on acccommodations and other sites and activities.

Thanks
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Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 7:23pm

prison bars or a ball and chain
Is there anyone else like me who when first issued a blackberry by their boss said -"Cool! Free internet, email, and tech toys." Then 6 months later see it as their office cube attached to their waist? I absolutely hate it, avoid it, cannot stand it sitting there vibrating as email after email comes in about what went on during the day or needs to be done the next. Sure I turn it off but that means that all the people who didnt and answered the 9pm email are ahead of the game.

I could easily see myself visiting this place for vacation!
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Enrico Suarve, 25 Jul 2007 @ 3:12am

The 'Nays' have it
Personally I can see where they are coming from - there is way more to life than being available on the phone 24x7 and just having it turned off can be relaxing (on quiet nights at home my lady and I even unplug the land line)

People should be able to choose to live in an area with no such annoyance if that is their desire and good luck to them - perhaps this is the way forward for holidays and a new selling point. It gets around all the arguments between families as mum or dad ignores the family yet again to speak to their boss etc etc

I did a quick straw poll using the comments to see how it would play out

NOTE - I had to ignore anonymous cowards for obvious reasons and assumed that people arguing with a person who had made their feelings known one way or the other meant they disagreed with that person in the context of the posting, and some people may have posted under two names so its not the most accurate poll ever.... (sorry if I put you in the wrong camp by the way)

But although the mobile phone lovers make a lot of noise they are outnumbered easily on this post by people who would rather see them turned off on holiday

For the mast being built: 8
Against the mast being built: 25 (plus me = 26)

For the mast being built names
MrPaladin
name
Sean
Neil
Sneeje
Lela
insomniac
Hulser

Against the mast being built names
Hidden Force
Mystified
Nasty Old Geezer
Strofcon
NoName
My name here
El Marko
Joel Melcosky
smart guy
Bryan
Beck
Bryon Ware
Haywood
You're All Serious
InkChemist
Overcast
Bill
Not Bill
Charles Griswold
vapiddreamer
SP
HAHAHAHAHA
HG,WT
freak3dot
Brodie
Smart Guy
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Charles Griswold, 25 Jul 2007 @ 9:45am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re
Eh, what were we talking about?
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Phil, 25 Jul 2007 @ 4:40pm

Good idea
If you need your cell phone on 24/7, there is something wrong with you. You need to turn off your technology, go outside, and get some fresh air.
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ThoughtCrime, 26 Jul 2007 @ 1:23am

collective consciousness
Communication has become so impersonal. What happened to expressing your concerns to the moments of time you are currently conscious? that you talk into a plastic box with microwave frequencies. Let's put tracking devices (RFID) in the phones, and backdoor NSA spying into the IPODS for constant surveillance of your orwellian existance, and have you think that's Awesome.
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BullJustin, 26 Jul 2007 @ 6:13am

Swiss towns bans automobiles
Some towns in Switzerland banned motor vehicles a long time ago. To get there you have to take a trolley (usually) or hike or use a horse if you have one. These places are tourism hotspots because even though technology makes our lives easier, people still want to get away from it and go back to a simpler time and place. This could actually work for them, and I say good for them. If someone doesn't like the idea of no cell phones then they can go somewhere else. There will be enough people that will want to come to a "no signal" place.
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phil, 21 Oct 2007 @ 11:41am

No Cell phones in the slocan valley
I live in this valley and the real issue is quality of life for the residents that live in the valley...not tourism.

cell phones and constant access to WORK has changed how we relate with the world and one another...in some good ways and also in some not so good ways. the people of this community value quality of life as it pertains to nature and natures rythmns.

It is difficult for people who do not live close to nature to imagine what life is like without a cell phone - maybe they should ask their parents what life was like...probably not as frightening or inconvenient as some fear.

We all thought the computer would give give us more free time, and we've never been more busy and without free time.The cell phone has affected us similarily.

Cell phones affect more than those who use them. They affect the fabric of the community. I would wager if you came here for 2 weeks - once you got over the detox of not using your cell phone- you would have received something positive that you could never get through being the most connected person with the outside world. You would receive a greater connection with yourself and the natural world.
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Terry Smith, 6 Feb 2008 @ 11:06am

no cell phones
We're moving to the Slocan Valley within two years and I'm hoping there's cell service by then.

I am absolutely stunned that there was enough community support to stall this.

The answer is simple: If you don't want a cell phone, don't buy one. If you have a cell phone and don't want to answer it, don't.

I pay for my land line and my cell phone, it's for my convenience only and I answer it when it's convenient.

I want my teenager to be mobile when we move there so he won't feel trapped or isolated, that said, I want to be able to keep in touch with him and I want him to be able to reach me if he goes off into the ditch in bad weather. The ability to make a phone call could save a life or needless worry.

Egad. We each choose how technology affects our lives. I tell my kids, "You have your own brain for a reason. Use it."

Ridiculous. As a tourist, it's a temporary inconvenience that would neither lure or inhibit my visiting the valley. As a resident, it's downright annoying and makes South Slocan all the more attractive.
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Darren, 5 Jul 2009 @ 4:01pm

Cell phones in Slocan Valley
Kudos to Slocan! Gee, whatever did we do when I was growing up without cell phones? It was terrible! Knocking on doors, meeting people, and asking if we could use their phone. Going to a store. Finding a pay phone. Sheesh.

We don't need em. Wanting every electronic convenience known to man is becoming unnatural. Kudos to the people of SLocan.
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