KQED's Forum Dialing Up 150 Years on the Phone
Mar 27, 2026
Izzie Ramirez, freelance writer and editor reflecting on culture. Emily Dreyfuss, culture editor and podcast co-host who covers media and tech. Heather Kelly, technology reporter exploring tech in daily life. They trade nostalgic first-phone memories, debate landlines versus smartphones, share experiments like switching to flip phones, and discuss phone anxiety, notification effects, and practical ways to reclaim attention.
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Purple Sliding Phone Marked Early Independence
- Izzie Ramirez got a purple sliding Samsung/LG phone in fifth grade so her parents could check on her after moving to Texas.
- That same phone was stolen around seventh grade, marking an early independence-and-loss moment.
Home Phone As Anchor For Family Connections
- Emily Dreyfuss remembers memorizing friends' numbers and using the home phone to maintain connection with her father after her parents split.
- The corded phone anchored social networks: everyone knew the key people and could call from pay phones when away.
Get A Landline To Teach Kids Phone Skills
- Emily Dreyfuss recommends getting a landline so children can easily call 911 and learn dialing etiquette and autonomy.
- She notes success persuading friends in San Francisco to add landlines for kids' practice and safety.