MARTIN PARR
If everyone got rid of their mobile phones, what would happen?
Hillary Shaw
Newport, Shropshire, UK
Most QR codes would be replaced by writing humans can read. There would be a boom in digital camera sales. We would demand the restoration of public phone boxes, so all those books would go and we’d need a new home for those defibrillators. We’d pay in shops by credit card, maybe even cash. The environment would benefit, as the data content of the internet shrank, with far fewer random pictures of pets, meals and selfies being posted; data-centre energy use and carbon dioxide output would fall.
We might even look around us more, noticing nature – and even each other – for a change. Maybe we’d learn the joys and utility of paper maps again. Attending major concerts and sports events would be easier, without the zero-sum game of everyone reaching equally high with their mobile cameras; with digital cameras we might, just, be more selective about what pictures we snap. Road casualities might fall with drivers and pedestrians not using mobiles. The police would have fewer street crimes to deal with. Let’s start ditching the things now: OK, who will go first…?
“
If everyone got rid of their mobile phones, there would be a boom in digital camera sales and the restoration of public phone boxes
“
Pam Lunn
Kenilworth, Warwickshire, UK
After a period of bewilderment and chaos, peace and beneficence would reign on Earth.
Mary Fielding
Ledbury, Herefordshire, UK
Perfect bliss.
To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.
Questions should be scientific enquiries about everyday phenomena, and both questions and answers should be concise. We reserve the right to edit items for clarity and style. Please include a postal address, daytime telephone number and email address.
The use of AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude) to write either questions or answers is forbidden, and any submissions found to have been written using AI tools will be withdrawn.
