A conversation with Kevin Sun, selfie cynic, about his phone. Conducted by Reed Immer, recorded by Reed’s iPhone 4.
Image credit: Robin Szypulski
RI: So when was your first smartphone?
KS: I was a senior in high school. It was some motorola phone with internet but it sucked–couldn’t do much, wasn’t user-friendly–but then I bought an iPhone 3g and that was a game changer. It was so easy and I didn’t have to carry nearly as much stuff. No iPod, no camera, just iPhone.
RI: Did the iPhone cause any anxiety in your life? Other interviewees have mentioned that the switch to smartphone simultaneously brought convenience and chaos.
KS: A big change was the iPhone’s pop-up notifications, which my first smartphone had none of. I have every type of iPhone notification disabled except news reports–I’d rather know what’s going on in the world than what my friends are eating.
I have every type of iPhone notification disabled except news reports–I’d rather know what’s going on in the world than what my friends are eating.
RI: So news updates are the only notifications you get on your phone?
KS: Yeah, I get about 6 different news sources, which includes a mix of national and local networks like WTNH and WFSB.
RI: Do you think being constantly in the loop about murders in the area makes you more nervous? Have you checked out the New Haven Murder Map?
KS: Yes I’ve checked out the Murder Map, it’s an interesting resource. I like to get that information, about what’s going on where I live, it actually makes me feel safer.
RI: This interview has a gritty local bent to it so far. Maybe we should put a scar on your portrait to make you look even tougher…
KS: No, please don’t do that.
RI: Sorry, we won’t [we did]. What social networks do you use?
KS: I use Facebook to communicate directly with friends, but I don’t care much about people’s posts, because people only let you see what they want you to see. Social media severely filters how friendship is expressed, it all becomes just Facebook talk. I’d rather have most of those expressions offline. I maybe go on Facebook once a week, usually from my phone. It used to be a huge part of my life, constantly keeping up with my profiles, but I’ve distanced myself now.
Social media severely filters how friendship is expressed, it all becomes just Facebook talk. I’d rather have most of those expressions offline.
RI: How about Twitter?
KS: Same thing. My last tweet was over six months ago, and after I learned that the Library of Congress saves everything… no thank you.
RI: It’s definitely spooky. And I forgot to tell you, this is a great couch.
KS: Thanks, I’d like to bring another one in here but the room’s way too small.
RI: More couches the merrier. So do you take a lot of photos and videos on your phone?
KS: Not really, and definitely no selfies. I don’t feel a need to show everyone how I look today, because I also don’t think anyone cares [laughs]. Spotify is the only network that I use every day, and that’s just to play music like I’m doing right now. For $10 a month they’ve got me, it’s absolutely worth it.
Spotify is the only network that I use every day, and that’s just to play music like I’m doing right now. For $10 a month they’ve got me, it’s absolutely worth it.
Other posts in the Young Adults And Their Phones interview series: