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I feel uncomfortable leaving without my phone, for one simple reason: I’m typically leaving with my pup, and if anything happens to either of us I want to be able to call for help. Pay phones are basically non-existent, people understandably don’t like to let strangers use their phone. It’s just a basic precaution.

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The loss of pay phones over the last 20 years is a loss to society. We used to have widespread access to cheap and anonymous emergency calling.

I lived to my mid-30s before I ever carried a mobile phone. In that time I do not recall ever needing to call 911 on a pay phone. How often has a mobile phone helped you in an emergency? For me, never. I think this is one of those easy-to-imagine-but-in-reality-rarely-happens justifications.

The local university here has these emergency call-for-help stations all over campus. They have a blue light on top so they are easy to find especially at night. A couple of years ago there was a little feature story in the newspaper about how they had never--not once--been used in a real emergency. But the university did not want to take them down because they provided a feeling of security.

> A couple of years ago there was a little feature story in the newspaper about how they had never--not once--been used in a real emergency. But the university did not want to take them down because they provided a feeling of security.

How many real emergencies occurred near one of these boxes?

Probably none, if they were never used. Again supporting the idea that they are better at creating a feeling of security than actually making any difference.

Maybe no emergencies occurred because of the presence of these emergency call stations. (At least those perpetrated by other people, i.e. assaults, thefts, etc.—I presume potential perpetrators would be discouraged by the presence of these call stations.)

Creating a feeling of security is as important as creating security—you need both.

No one used pay phones for anything other than a public toilet for half a decade. Good riddance.

I have had this same thought in the past. I came to the conclusions that it’s a psychological trick we’re playing on ourselves. The mitigation against such a low risk event is not worth the price we’re paying.

- sent from my iPhone

I mean, what price? It’s just a little extra weight in my pocket. I’m not using it while I walk my pup. It’s always on silent and I seldom notice the occasional buzz.

- Sent from my iPhone, on my porch

This is so true!

> people understandably don’t like to let strangers use their phone

Sounds like you're projecting here. What's your data for this?

I've definitely had this problem. There were times I lost my phone and had to get back home. No one would let me use their phone. It was not until I begged a gas station attendant to let me call someone I knew who could pick me up, that I was able to get home.

Only anecdata, but I’ve experienced it directly, and I’ve also helped other people out when I saw them experiencing the same. I’m a little surprised by this response to be honest?

My personal experience is that I have never had someone decline to let me use their phone. I believe people are default kind and interested in helping others, and it's hard to imagine that in a random sample of say, 5 people, none would let you use their phone for a few minutes.

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