> I don't have any always-on microphones in my house, and probably never will, so I probably qualify as some kind of techno-skeptic.
That you know of. Every smartphone has a microphone, as do most laptops and desktops.
That you know of. Every smartphone has a microphone, as do most laptops and desktops.
We still use wireless/laptop ofc and when we are among ourselves we have a rule that the phone goes in the box from 18:00 - 06:00. but for visitors there is no cell-phone in my house (this is perfect for us because we can pretty much rule out microphones/cameras being used).
I understand this might sound very strange for most people here, and it is strange. But how would you feel if say in the 80ies and 90ies you invite somebody for dinner and they show up with a big camera/flash around their neck and a microphone and tape recorder.
bienvenue chez moi!
also my partner does use a mobile phone for work, or on the go. I don't own one.
Seems more like daily Sabbath.
you misunderstood. privacy is the conversation opener but discussions around mental health are the goal. when you say it is unhealthy are you implying "devices on the dinner table are healthy?" or putting toddlers on a screen/ipad is healthy? or showing your kids that it's ok to be only half present when interacting with them is healthy? sorry I utterly missed your point.
Consider other things that have a similar cost/benefit ratio that are more obviously mad:
* I could install a 3 metre high wall with razor wire around my house in case the police try to attack me for some reason.
* I could walk everywhere wearing a bicycle helmet in case I fall over.
* I could never use stairs. Only use lifts - they're much safer!
Hopefully it's obvious why those are mad.
I'm really conflicted, as your approach is privacy focused but I just can't imagine following it in real life. Perhaps I'm part of the problem...
If you ask their wearer to put them away before entering, then you can't have conversation with him/her.
Many privacy-concious people opt for software that allows them to verifiably control their hardware, be it desktop/laptop or smartphone.
Some will go the extra step to physically remove or disable microphones and speakers.
I know a fair number of privacy-concious people, and not one of them have any sort of verifiable control of their hardware. It's surprisingly hard to do this, it turns out…
I have a reasonable level of confidence that my use of wirecutters and/or soldering iron gives me enough control over this kind of thing. It's impractical on a smartphone, but I solve that by not owning one.