Hi Dieter! I agree with you as our phones are instruments and tool for us.Besides, I think it’s more like a canvas for me, where I can express myself or a mirror mimicking the world around me. However, have we ever thought of our phones can be deadly with everyday usage it collects sweat,oil, dirts. Bacteria and who knows what. Do we think of cleaning it hygienically like we wash our clothes?I think we rarely do and we keep using it till we fall sick.So, our phones can be hazardous too.
Well written. Phones these days are kind of our alter ego. The wallpaper we choose the icon layout we use, the apps we have on our home screen kindaa defines us. Maybe far in the future if you're suffering from say depression, the first diagnostic test might be to see what's on your phone.
Tanurjyoti Bala this comment makes total sense and I think it is true but that's such a sad existence. How have we as human become so dependant on all this stuff that is designed to keep us addicted to it. I guess we're not top of the food chain anymore. Tech companies are.
I know you kept saying that the metaphor breaks down and, while that's certainly true, this really made me rethink how I look at my phone and its longevity in my life. I think we're coming up to an age of phone manufacturing and design where they just blend into our lives, becoming a platform for many different types of personal development, and that relationship part of it is becoming increasingly more important. With phones like the Essential Phone and the iPhone X signifying a substantial change in smartphone design, they're becoming seamless parts of our lives, with spec enhancement being important not in having a fast and powerful machine, but rather at in no way being a nuisance or to our day-to-day lives. We're nearing a time where chasing specs really isn't all that important and neither is getting a new phone every two years. We're building lasting relationships with our devices and I believe that's the end goal they should all achieve. Thanks for the video, Dieter. Processor is a fantastic series.
Gregz0r both words are the same. In fact, Instrument comes from the latin word INSTRUMENTUM which means TOOL. So if you say a phone is an instrument is just the same as saying the phone is a tool.
One can be good or terrible at hammering nails as well. You can misuse it too, by hitting people or making random holes in the wall. And, hell, make art with it. Simplicity of the task just means less range in result quality between the best and the worst skillset. People playing saws like violins prove that there isn't a strict distinction. Way to think about phones: functional extensions of selves. Now you can more, now you are more. And as with self, there's a lot of room for customisation. As well as a lot of ways to be exploited.
For a techie I think the phone is like life. It’s now a hub. Connecting your smart watches, fitness trackers, wireless headphones, AR and VR, Camera that beats many point and shoots, and linking you to the world. It’s part of life.
Your phone is an experience, like everything else. I use it for business heavily, for personal use heavily, and for pleasure occasionally. I tailor my phone to make my life easier. My viewpoint is if it complicates your life, don’t use if it complicates your experience. For me, the iPhone has been my go to since the original iPhone was released. It’s consistent, reliable and I am familiar with it inside and out. Simple and easy.
Interesting idea, however the breakdown is that expert craftspeople use tools to make people feel better all the time. Metal workers, carpenters, leather workers, etc.Have you watched any of the Man at Arms videos? Talk about truly using tools and expertise to create.
I keep coming back to this video every so often because it helps me recalibrate how I interact with my phone, and technology at large. It helps me stay accountable to the person who's using the device. Me. Thank you, Dieter. Miss you on The Verge. Hope you are asking these questions at Google too.
Well, that's how I think about all of my tech. It's nice the video was made. Dieter makes some of the best stuff on The Verge, and this is one of the best series they've done.
As a musician for all of my life so far, I fully agree! My musical instruments are nothing short of an extension of me that I use to express myself, and my iPhone X is the same, but just in a different way and for different purposes. Both my iPhone X and my high-end mandolin are truly works of art both aesthetically and function-wise, and I use them both every single day to feel good, to create and to connect with others. Great video, Dieter!
an instrument is a certain type of tool. a phone is a multi-tool, which can be a multi-instrument. there is no metaphor or argument except in the perceived separation of definitions or use cases.
An instrument is a tool for measuring or for precision work, I’m not sure why musical “instruments” are called instruments. I feel like it’s the wrong word
Sam Felton it was very hard for me to restrain myself from talking about how words work for 20 minutes lol. They're weird when you think about them! - Dieter
Aditya Goed that’s the original meaning of the word. Sam felton is correct. Instrument comes from the latin word INSTRUMENTUM which means TOOL. So if you say a phone is an instrument is just the same as saying the phone is a tool.
My phone is my best friend. When everything seems dark its always there to brighten my path. It's there to support me. We are friends forev... until I replace it with another one.
I think it's a mix of the two. The things I consider tools in my life (my DSLR for example) I take care of, and also use for their intended purposes and put down. An instrument is something I believe has a purpose, but isn't exclusively a means to an end. Considering a phone does have a means to an end (making calls, emails, messages, GPS) it also serves as an entertainment device and artistic tool (camera). It's a computer in my pocket and also a swiss army knife in one, a gateway to all the knowledge of the internet, and allows me to do things I wouldn't be able to do without one.
Dictionary definition of “tool”: a device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function. Just throwing that out there.
First off Dieter, I am really enjoying this series. As much as I love a video that's technical in nature, this more philosophical and metaphorical look at technology and the ultimate role it plays in our day to day lives is thought provoking and interesting. I'm going to say we are pretty close to being the same age, I too had a pager in high school that then turned into my first "cell phone" the iconic Motorola StarTac which then lead to another icon, the Motorola Nextel i1000. As some others have already mentioned here, the way I see a modern day smartphone is like a Swiss Army Knife, a jack of all trades but not necessarily a master at any one thing. We ask so much from our phones these days and we have certain expectations of what they will be able to deliver to us in return. A fast and fluid UX, a no frills UI that's easy to navigate, a great camera that we can whip out at any time, day or night and expect to take a decent to great picture. A phone with lots of memory to hold all our content. So yeah, we definitely put our phones through its paces and expect a flawless experience each time and at the first sign things don't work as expected, we are on subreddits pissed off at the OEM, dissing this thing or that thing, vowing never to buy another iteration of the same phone or the same OEM. While I appreciate the metaphor, comparing a phone to an instrument, I think it's one that many people will have a hard time getting. I tutor the elderly primarily, those who have never owned or used a smartphone and if I pose them the idea that they should think about their new phone as a instrument, something that is completely new to them and one they will need to learn like an instrument in a slow and dilerbate manner, I know they will understand and take that approach but to most of us here who are seasoned tech users, some of us like you and I who have been using tech going on over 2 decades, for many of us, a phone is primarily a tool, a jack of all trades, a Swiss Arm Knife.
One of the reasons I'm excited for Android P is Google's new focus on Well-Being and looking at how people use phones. Having a native way of analyzing how I spend my time on my phone is a great step forward because it allows me to look at my behaviors and show me where I should make changes. I personally want to be a more productive person, and more efficient screen-time (or maybe even less screen-time overall) is an obvious step toward my goal.
This is my favourite series on the verge and I really like Dieter Bohn. He is a great presenter and the script is better than any other people on the verge. I wish the oneplus 6 review is by him, not the other guy.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. cell phones have ceased to be tools a long time ago and now are more as extensions of ourselves. the most important is; What does my cell phone say about me?
The phone I picked up is BlackBerry Keyone as I thought a physical keyboard is really an extension of my Creative mind. I always imagine myself sitting infront of a keyboard when there's anything I wanna create. Also, I need to take better care of it, the same way a well-maintained instrument stimulates ur creative juices. I participate in a more constructive way in the community as I tend to feel the influence I can have on people. And lastly, I am being more intentional with my phone the same a musician is with a Guitar. A keyboard, instead of an app icon under my fingers, always launches me in the writer's mode!
I really like your analogy. I think the specs of a phone don't matter nearly as much as the actual experience you're having when you're using it. And since you're using it every day, it better be a good experience to you. And that's why the whole iPhone vs. Android argument doesn't make sense to me. What use does someone who wants to play Chopin get out of the newest, most badass metal guitar? Thanks for giving us your perspective, you're by far my favourite tech outlet. keep up the good work!
Looking at a phone as a tool, I think of it doing one job like calling a friend or someone else, just like a hammer can only knock down nails. Looking at it as an instrument, it lets you do a lot og stuff like scrolling Facebook, checking news and etc, like an instrument, you can play C major scale or a 4 chord song or even a very nice beat. Instruments= Gives the user multipule choices (like a smartphone) Tool (Hammer)= lets you to complete one task (like calling on a phone) That's what I think (great video btw, loved it! :D )
Great idea, I agree that the way you treat your phone and others though your phone is very important, I think its awesome that you bring this to light!!
I've been using my phone mainly as a tool; in reaction to all the distraction that it can give me, I decided to filter everything down to the necessary apps. I started using my phone as a tool. What caught my attention was the fact that Dieter named it a piece of culture, and that the people at the other end are going to suffer from it when you just use it as a tool. It's an interesting thought, but how much do smartphones add to good relationships? Can the smartphone be a successful extension of a married couple, or be best friends? The smartphone brings those who are far away closer, but does it bring people closer that are already close together?
That was less like a youtube video and more like the bit in a podcast where one host just went adjacent the topic and on and on and on but other hosts are not stopping him because it's with much passion and thought
My Pixel 2 XL is like a Swiss Army knife, a multi-tool. It is a tool that requires maintenance and care, but it can do many things. An instrument can play music, but it is not nearly as multi purpose as a Swiss army knife multi-tool.
Hi Dieter, Good video ! In fact, i’ve done researchs on iPad at school for my college graduation. In didactics, a tool is centred on the object and its relations to the person who using it, and an instrument is centred on the person and what (s)/he can make with it. It can be learning like precises skills / things but also what you can produce. Not easy to read but you can learn more with « Pierre Rabardel » books, who wrote « Man & Technologies » 👍
When we're free and boredom kicks in, phone is the worst thing that can happen to you. This is my personal experience with phone. I was on holidays the whole summer and my friends who graduated this year went to job. I had literally exhausted every single hobby of mine and left only with phone to scroll. Unless we treat our phone as an instrument, we usually give away our powers to control our daily habits which makes us lazy.
I have always looked at my phone/laptop/tv as instruments for 18 years now, and I love that, but you know what, I always wanted better instruments every now and then 😉
Really wanted to try the essential phone and now it seems like its not worth it if they are going to be sold. If it gets a huge discount I might still think about it.
Instruments and tools mean basically the same. A Music Instrument is a tool to make music. Carpenter's tools are the instruments he uses for carpentering. Instruments comes from latin/old french, tool from old english.
I came here with no expectation, in fact with a bit of skeptic to be honest, then I found this series quite interesting like it got me thinking, which is pretty cool
I loved this video! I can really relate to it. Currently I own a Nokia 6.1 and it is not the "best" phone in any area, but I just love the design, the materials, the feel of it and how it responds to my inputs. Is the best I could get with the money I had (my dream phone is still currently the Essential PH-1) but I am really happy with it and feel like I can do everything I want with it if I just learn to work with it, practice with the camera and understand how to take care of it.
Not only does the metaphor not make logical sense but you have a good message that is clouded by the horrible metaphor. There are two reasons the metaphor doesn’t hold up 1) A musical instrument is a tool for producing music and for self expression. Your entire argument is the equivalent of if I told everybody to stop thinking about squares as rectangles because they aren’t really rectangles they are squares. When really a square is a rectangle and there is nothing wrong with viewing it as such. 2) You seem to believe that changing how people view phones (as a specific type of tool instead of a general tool) will cause them to act differently. But there is no proof for that. Just as there is no proof that if I stop thinking of squares as rectangles and think of them only as squares suddenly how I use squares will change. I subscribe to your underlying message that people should change how they use their phones and be more intentional in their use. But that is true regardless of if you view the phone as a tool or an instrument (which is just a specific type of tool). Good message. Bad metaphor. Lastly, what about people who truly value traditional tools over musical instruments? What about the builder who can construct a beautiful house using a hammer but has no use for a musical instrument? How should their perspective of their phone change based on your metaphor? Should they view their phone as less useful? Again I understand your point and I think it is a worthwhile and meaningful point. But using this horrible and confusing metaphor to compare a tool to an instrument just fails and causes unnecessary confusion.
Sometimes I have quite the opposite opinion :D i hear a lot of people saying and I count myself to this group: i love my mac/iphone etc. And that is great that they enjoy using it. But I think you rather should love people and use the devices. Because they don‘t have a long lifetime (instead of instruments or people). It‘s great that people love working with them but at the end it‘s ‘only technology‘ and not as strong as human interaction. But I can understand your point and i share it in some parts. I mean that you are still you -a loving and giving person- even without your phone.
I think a tool can become an instrument depending on the person who use it. If you're a carpenter, people might only see his hammer as a tool rather than an instrument. But if you're an artisan, people who actually spent your life and passion in their craft, then their tool is an instrument. And then again this depends on how you view your craft or the media you produce with your phone (Like your picture). Do you see yourself as a person who do stuff with your phone, or if you try and "create" with your phone. Other people might find your work differently from you; like your Instagram channel may just be stuff you randomly put stuff, but other people might find it differently. So I think whether a phone is a tool or an instrument, it just depends on how the user sees it. And I really do not see it as a one or the other question. People are too complex. For me, it's a tool and my media consumption medium. Nothing more.
A smart phone is not just one tool, is more than one, a "real" tool is designed to perform a specific task, but a smartphone can do multiple tasks, that's why it's a versatile tool. I too think that nobody should be worried about having "the best phone" tho
A phone is a tool. It’s a tool that helps me keep track of my day. It helps me take notes, it helps me make reminders. It’s a tool that helps me organize my workflow. It manages my calendar for me, it keeps track of events. It helps me get work done, it lets me communicate with colleagues via emails. It lets me create, edit and view documents. It’s a tool that helps me with my social life and lets me interact with friends and family. It’s a tool that lets me communicate with people. It’s a tool that gives me access to information on the internet. It’s a tool that makes my day and my life a lot easier.
I would argue (this won't be popular) that an instrument is a tool. I also think that it is an art for a carpenter to use a chisel, and a chisel is one of the simplest possible tools. I think if you were to ask a master carpenter of he has a relationship with his tools; he'd say yes.
I loved this video. It was confusing in the beginning. However, made a lot of sense later. I always try to 1. Take good care of my phones and 2. Be productive and get the best out of them.
This right here - along with the "what's a computer" video - is exactly what I expect of this series. To make us think about our perception and use of technology. And it's immensely more interesting than specific things about Covers and OS Comparisons which, although you present them all, I don't think should be left in this Processor Playlist. Otherwise this isn't special. It's just more random stuff from The Verge.
Danielle Varejão I'm striving to add deeper to the other videos, trying to balance some fun with the intellectual stuff. Will keep working at the balance, genuinely appreciate the feedback 😅 - Dietet
The Verge Gladly! Keep up the good work. These videos really set you apart from other Tech Video guys, Dietet. And I appreciate your insights (plus the fact that you’ve responded!) 👍
Do you view your phone as a tool, instrument, or something else? - Dieter
The Verge instrument. I love my phone and care for it
Dude how old are you actually held/used a pager.
Hi Dieter!
I agree with you as our phones are instruments and tool for us.Besides, I think it’s more like a canvas for me, where I can express myself or a mirror mimicking the world around me.
However, have we ever thought of our phones can be deadly with everyday usage it collects sweat,oil, dirts. Bacteria and who knows what.
Do we think of cleaning it hygienically like we wash our clothes?I think we rarely do and we keep using it till we fall sick.So, our phones can be hazardous too.
The Verge I've never thought about it actually.
More an instrument for me :)
i really like this idea! I never thought about it in that way. Thank you
Dieter: Your phone is an instrument
Me: Opens GarageBand
Well written. Phones these days are kind of our alter ego. The wallpaper we choose the icon layout we use, the apps we have on our home screen kindaa defines us.
Maybe far in the future if you're suffering from say depression, the first diagnostic test might be to see what's on your phone.
I think under 10 years even.
Wth? Wallpaper & apps define me? I never pay any attention to them.
Tanurjyoti Bala this comment makes total sense and I think it is true but that's such a sad existence. How have we as human become so dependant on all this stuff that is designed to keep us addicted to it. I guess we're not top of the food chain anymore. Tech companies are.
Tanurjyoti Bala my friend' committed suicide just earlier this week, and I was thinking of the same as well.
Andre Sayson Sorry about that. Was it due to depression?
I like that idea a lot.
Valentin Möller Hallo Valentin!
Eyyyy Valentin
I know you kept saying that the metaphor breaks down and, while that's certainly true, this really made me rethink how I look at my phone and its longevity in my life. I think we're coming up to an age of phone manufacturing and design where they just blend into our lives, becoming a platform for many different types of personal development, and that relationship part of it is becoming increasingly more important. With phones like the Essential Phone and the iPhone X signifying a substantial change in smartphone design, they're becoming seamless parts of our lives, with spec enhancement being important not in having a fast and powerful machine, but rather at in no way being a nuisance or to our day-to-day lives.
We're nearing a time where chasing specs really isn't all that important and neither is getting a new phone every two years. We're building lasting relationships with our devices and I believe that's the end goal they should all achieve.
Thanks for the video, Dieter. Processor is a fantastic series.
My phone is a multi-tool.
Not just a multi-tool it's how you live your life.
Agreed
It’s clearly _both,_ depending on the particular use case at the time.
Gregz0r both words are the same.
In fact, Instrument comes from the latin word INSTRUMENTUM which means TOOL.
So if you say a phone is an instrument is just the same as saying the phone is a tool.
TheoDeo - someone’s being creative.
One can be good or terrible at hammering nails as well. You can misuse it too, by hitting people or making random holes in the wall. And, hell, make art with it. Simplicity of the task just means less range in result quality between the best and the worst skillset. People playing saws like violins prove that there isn't a strict distinction.
Way to think about phones: functional extensions of selves. Now you can more, now you are more. And as with self, there's a lot of room for customisation. As well as a lot of ways to be exploited.
That's a nice way to look at something that's with you everyday
My phone is an extension of myself, a manifestation of my thoughts, and my window to the world.
As a musician (a drummer), I really appreciate this metaphor.
God, I love this series!
For a techie I think the phone is like life. It’s now a hub. Connecting your smart watches, fitness trackers, wireless headphones, AR and VR, Camera that beats many point and shoots, and linking you to the world. It’s part of life.
Miyuru Weerarathna you meant to say iPhone X 🙌👍🤣🤣
When social media is life.
Your phone is an experience, like everything else. I use it for business heavily, for personal use heavily, and for pleasure occasionally. I tailor my phone to make my life easier. My viewpoint is if it complicates your life, don’t use if it complicates your experience. For me, the iPhone has been my go to since the original iPhone was released. It’s consistent, reliable and I am familiar with it inside and out. Simple and easy.
Interesting idea, however the breakdown is that expert craftspeople use tools to make people feel better all the time. Metal workers, carpenters, leather workers, etc.Have you watched any of the Man at Arms videos? Talk about truly using tools and expertise to create.
Marvin Francis totally agree! The metaphor breaks down but I still think it's helpful. - Dieter
good one, dieter!
The verge and Dieter have done such good work on this series
I'd argue tools are to engineers as instruments are to musicians. You still have to learn how to use tools and maintain them. 🤷🏽♂️
And engineers can like their tools like a musicians likes his instruments.... It's a very very very very bad metaphor
I keep coming back to this video every so often because it helps me recalibrate how I interact with my phone, and technology at large. It helps me stay accountable to the person who's using the device. Me. Thank you, Dieter. Miss you on The Verge. Hope you are asking these questions at Google too.
This is actually a really beautiful way of looking at technology in general, not just your phone.
Well, that's how I think about all of my tech. It's nice the video was made. Dieter makes some of the best stuff on The Verge, and this is one of the best series they've done.
As a musician for all of my life so far, I fully agree! My musical instruments are nothing short of an extension of me that I use to express myself, and my iPhone X is the same, but just in a different way and for different purposes. Both my iPhone X and my high-end mandolin are truly works of art both aesthetically and function-wise, and I use them both every single day to feel good, to create and to connect with others.
Great video, Dieter!
an instrument is a certain type of tool. a phone is a multi-tool, which can be a multi-instrument. there is no metaphor or argument except in the perceived separation of definitions or use cases.
This guy and this series as a whole is brilliant. It's relaxing tech talk but at the same time rather deep and insightful. Keep it up!
An instrument is a tool for measuring or for precision work, I’m not sure why musical “instruments” are called instruments. I feel like it’s the wrong word
Sam Felton sometimes words have more than one definition.
Sam Felton it was very hard for me to restrain myself from talking about how words work for 20 minutes lol. They're weird when you think about them! - Dieter
Aditya Goed that’s the original meaning of the word. Sam felton is correct.
Instrument comes from the latin word INSTRUMENTUM which means TOOL.
So if you say a phone is an instrument is just the same as saying the phone is a tool.
Dieter Bohn's videos made me like The Verge again. The Processor series is just pure brilliance.
in·stru·ment
ˈinstrəmənt
noun
1. a **tool** or implement, especially one for delicate or scientific work.
Finally the BOHN ZONE!!!!! Really great content. It took the Verge long enough to realize you should have your own show.
You get the *irony* don't you, it's a psychological move to stop people hitting dislike
The "phone is like your personality" idea is spot on. What's on your phone can say a lot about you. 🤙
Dieter Bohn has a great review and perspective of modern technology in general and phone in specific. Bravo Dieter
Childish Gambino said it is a tool!
Came here for a break in between my Media Studies lectures, but got more Media Studies instead. I loved it ;) Great video!
My phone is my best friend.
When everything seems dark its always there to brighten my path. It's there to support me. We are friends forev... until I replace it with another one.
Absolutely loved the final 2 minute PSA! Well done sir! Thank you.
I think it's a mix of the two. The things I consider tools in my life (my DSLR for example) I take care of, and also use for their intended purposes and put down. An instrument is something I believe has a purpose, but isn't exclusively a means to an end. Considering a phone does have a means to an end (making calls, emails, messages, GPS) it also serves as an entertainment device and artistic tool (camera). It's a computer in my pocket and also a swiss army knife in one, a gateway to all the knowledge of the internet, and allows me to do things I wouldn't be able to do without one.
Dictionary definition of “tool”: a device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function.
Just throwing that out there.
First off Dieter, I am really enjoying this series. As much as I love a video that's technical in nature, this more philosophical and metaphorical look at technology and the ultimate role it plays in our day to day lives is thought provoking and interesting.
I'm going to say we are pretty close to being the same age, I too had a pager in high school that then turned into my first "cell phone" the iconic Motorola StarTac which then lead to another icon, the Motorola Nextel i1000.
As some others have already mentioned here, the way I see a modern day smartphone is like a Swiss Army Knife, a jack of all trades but not necessarily a master at any one thing. We ask so much from our phones these days and we have certain expectations of what they will be able to deliver to us in return. A fast and fluid UX, a no frills UI that's easy to navigate, a great camera that we can whip out at any time, day or night and expect to take a decent to great picture. A phone with lots of memory to hold all our content. So yeah, we definitely put our phones through its paces and expect a flawless experience each time and at the first sign things don't work as expected, we are on subreddits pissed off at the OEM, dissing this thing or that thing, vowing never to buy another iteration of the same phone or the same OEM.
While I appreciate the metaphor, comparing a phone to an instrument, I think it's one that many people will have a hard time getting. I tutor the elderly primarily, those who have never owned or used a smartphone and if I pose them the idea that they should think about their new phone as a instrument, something that is completely new to them and one they will need to learn like an instrument in a slow and dilerbate manner, I know they will understand and take that approach but to most of us here who are seasoned tech users, some of us like you and I who have been using tech going on over 2 decades, for many of us, a phone is primarily a tool, a jack of all trades, a Swiss Arm Knife.
One of the reasons I'm excited for Android P is Google's new focus on Well-Being and looking at how people use phones. Having a native way of analyzing how I spend my time on my phone is a great step forward because it allows me to look at my behaviors and show me where I should make changes. I personally want to be a more productive person, and more efficient screen-time (or maybe even less screen-time overall) is an obvious step toward my goal.
Getting impressed all the time by your ideas and videos about technology and how its related...
I loved the line: " Phones are pieces of culture that creates culture". I just loved it!!
This is my favourite series on the verge and I really like Dieter Bohn. He is a great presenter and the script is better than any other people on the verge. I wish the oneplus 6 review is by him, not the other guy.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. cell phones have ceased to be tools a long time ago and now are more as extensions of ourselves. the most important is; What does my cell phone say about me?
Insightful, yet borderline trippy commentary. Great stuff
This was a poignant and well reasoned argument. It made me think about my phone in a very different light. Thank you.
The phone I picked up is BlackBerry Keyone as I thought a physical keyboard is really an extension of my Creative mind. I always imagine myself sitting infront of a keyboard when there's anything I wanna create.
Also, I need to take better care of it, the same way a well-maintained instrument stimulates ur creative juices.
I participate in a more constructive way in the community as I tend to feel the influence I can have on people.
And lastly, I am being more intentional with my phone the same a musician is with a Guitar. A keyboard, instead of an app icon under my fingers, always launches me in the writer's mode!
This was fascinating. The analogy, however leaky, is useful in a lot (technology related) contexts
What a beautiful and eloquent depiction!
I like the instrument analogy, helps me answer questions about it from older relatives who might be using it still as a "tool" ;)
I am loving the verge videos these days
I really like your analogy. I think the specs of a phone don't matter nearly as much as the actual experience you're having when you're using it. And since you're using it every day, it better be a good experience to you. And that's why the whole iPhone vs. Android argument doesn't make sense to me. What use does someone who wants to play Chopin get out of the newest, most badass metal guitar?
Thanks for giving us your perspective, you're by far my favourite tech outlet. keep up the good work!
Bravo! Beautifully explained! Much needed thought/metaphor 👍
Looking at a phone as a tool, I think of it doing one job like calling a friend or someone else, just like a hammer can only knock down nails. Looking at it as an instrument, it lets you do a lot og stuff like scrolling Facebook, checking news and etc, like an instrument, you can play C major scale or a 4 chord song or even a very nice beat.
Instruments= Gives the user multipule choices (like a smartphone)
Tool (Hammer)= lets you to complete one task (like calling on a phone)
That's what I think (great video btw, loved it! :D )
Great idea, I agree that the way you treat your phone and others though your phone is very important, I think its awesome that you bring this to light!!
You have elevated the game altogether. Absolutely love the pieces you have been doing lately for verge. You are a blessing to UA-cam
I've been using my phone mainly as a tool; in reaction to all the distraction that it can give me, I decided to filter everything down to the necessary apps. I started using my phone as a tool. What caught my attention was the fact that Dieter named it a piece of culture, and that the people at the other end are going to suffer from it when you just use it as a tool. It's an interesting thought, but how much do smartphones add to good relationships? Can the smartphone be a successful extension of a married couple, or be best friends? The smartphone brings those who are far away closer, but does it bring people closer that are already close together?
That was less like a youtube video and more like the bit in a podcast where one host just went adjacent the topic and on and on and on but other hosts are not stopping him because it's with much passion and thought
I think it's time for Dieter to go solo. He is the only reason I am still subbed to The Verge.
This guy is the best the Verge has ever had.
The best video in this series. Keep up the good work.
My Pixel 2 XL is like a Swiss Army knife, a multi-tool. It is a tool that requires maintenance and care, but it can do many things. An instrument can play music, but it is not nearly as multi purpose as a Swiss army knife multi-tool.
This video opened my eyes. Congrats Dieter!
👌🏾 Excellent way of describing the device we use so much. We should all take this approach on our phones and maybe other devices as well.
So I am watching this video on an instrument?
On the phone, just get over it and don't over analyse it.
Yes
Childish Gambino Was Right *A Phone Is A Tool*
Cinematography is touching skies! next level!
Hi Dieter, Good video ! In fact, i’ve done researchs on iPad at school for my college graduation.
In didactics, a tool is centred on the object and its relations to the person who using it, and an instrument is centred on the person and what (s)/he can make with it. It can be learning like precises skills / things but also what you can produce. Not easy to read but you can learn more with « Pierre Rabardel » books, who wrote « Man & Technologies » 👍
Great insights offered. Thanks for this!
Love this series! First time I'm really enjoying this channel
Nice video, the metaphor and delivery is a little clumsy but I appreciate the thoughtful approach to improving our relationship with our tech.
My phone is an extension of who I am, whether I’m happy or sad my phone has exactly what I need to handle the moment.
Great video. Thanks for sharing. Very helpful.
When we're free and boredom kicks in, phone is the worst thing that can happen to you. This is my personal experience with phone. I was on holidays the whole summer and my friends who graduated this year went to job. I had literally exhausted every single hobby of mine and left only with phone to scroll. Unless we treat our phone as an instrument, we usually give away our powers to control our daily habits which makes us lazy.
Is the verge an app on the App Store because I can’t find it.
I have always looked at my phone/laptop/tv as instruments for 18 years now, and I love that, but you know what, I always wanted better instruments every now and then 😉
I love your brown leather iphone cover and your brown leather Apple watch strap. Could you let me know where to get these? Thank you
Really wanted to try the essential phone and now it seems like its not worth it if they are going to be sold. If it gets a huge discount I might still think about it.
Awesome video and I think you are right on point with calling gadgets instruments!
This is one of the best tech videos till date!!!!
Instruments and tools mean basically the same. A Music Instrument is a tool to make music. Carpenter's tools are the instruments he uses for carpentering. Instruments comes from latin/old french, tool from old english.
That's why I call my pencil an instrument if I draw
I came here with no expectation, in fact with a bit of skeptic to be honest, then I found this series quite interesting like it got me thinking, which is pretty cool
I loved this video! I can really relate to it. Currently I own a Nokia 6.1 and it is not the "best" phone in any area, but I just love the design, the materials, the feel of it and how it responds to my inputs. Is the best I could get with the money I had (my dream phone is still currently the Essential PH-1) but I am really happy with it and feel like I can do everything I want with it if I just learn to work with it, practice with the camera and understand how to take care of it.
Not only does the metaphor not make logical sense but you have a good message that is clouded by the horrible metaphor. There are two reasons the metaphor doesn’t hold up 1) A musical instrument is a tool for producing music and for self expression. Your entire argument is the equivalent of if I told everybody to stop thinking about squares as rectangles because they aren’t really rectangles they are squares. When really a square is a rectangle and there is nothing wrong with viewing it as such. 2) You seem to believe that changing how people view phones (as a specific type of tool instead of a general tool) will cause them to act differently. But there is no proof for that. Just as there is no proof that if I stop thinking of squares as rectangles and think of them only as squares suddenly how I use squares will change. I subscribe to your underlying message that people should change how they use their phones and be more intentional in their use. But that is true regardless of if you view the phone as a tool or an instrument (which is just a specific type of tool). Good message. Bad metaphor. Lastly, what about people who truly value traditional tools over musical instruments? What about the builder who can construct a beautiful house using a hammer but has no use for a musical instrument? How should their perspective of their phone change based on your metaphor? Should they view their phone as less useful? Again I understand your point and I think it is a worthwhile and meaningful point. But using this horrible and confusing metaphor to compare a tool to an instrument just fails and causes unnecessary confusion.
As a musician and tech enthusiast, I really love this video
The way Dieter speaks about phones ❤️ loved it
Sometimes I have quite the opposite opinion :D i hear a lot of people saying and I count myself to this group: i love my mac/iphone etc. And that is great that they enjoy using it. But I think you rather should love people and use the devices. Because they don‘t have a long lifetime (instead of instruments or people). It‘s great that people love working with them but at the end it‘s ‘only technology‘ and not as strong as human interaction. But I can understand your point and i share it in some parts. I mean that you are still you -a loving and giving person- even without your phone.
I think a tool can become an instrument depending on the person who use it. If you're a carpenter, people might only see his hammer as a tool rather than an instrument. But if you're an artisan, people who actually spent your life and passion in their craft, then their tool is an instrument. And then again this depends on how you view your craft or the media you produce with your phone (Like your picture). Do you see yourself as a person who do stuff with your phone, or if you try and "create" with your phone. Other people might find your work differently from you; like your Instagram channel may just be stuff you randomly put stuff, but other people might find it differently. So I think whether a phone is a tool or an instrument, it just depends on how the user sees it. And I really do not see it as a one or the other question. People are too complex.
For me, it's a tool and my media consumption medium. Nothing more.
A smart phone is not just one tool, is more than one, a "real" tool is designed to perform a specific task, but a smartphone can do multiple tasks, that's why it's a versatile tool. I too think that nobody should be worried about having "the best phone" tho
once again, well done Dieter!
Plot twist: I think of instruments as tools
Added to Favorites. Great metaphor !!
I like this perspective! Never thought of it that way.
You create content that has a depth. Thank you and please keep it up.
A phone is a tool. It’s a tool that helps me keep track of my day. It helps me take notes, it helps me make reminders. It’s a tool that helps me organize my workflow. It manages my calendar for me, it keeps track of events. It helps me get work done, it lets me communicate with colleagues via emails. It lets me create, edit and view documents. It’s a tool that helps me with my social life and lets me interact with friends and family. It’s a tool that lets me communicate with people. It’s a tool that gives me access to information on the internet. It’s a tool that makes my day and my life a lot easier.
I see it as neither, rather as a device. I find this fits much better instead of trying to apply terms that don't quite fit.
I would argue (this won't be popular) that an instrument is a tool. I also think that it is an art for a carpenter to use a chisel, and a chisel is one of the simplest possible tools. I think if you were to ask a master carpenter of he has a relationship with his tools; he'd say yes.
I loved this video. It was confusing in the beginning. However, made a lot of sense later. I always try to 1. Take good care of my phones and 2. Be productive and get the best out of them.
This right here - along with the "what's a computer" video - is exactly what I expect of this series. To make us think about our perception and use of technology. And it's immensely more interesting than specific things about Covers and OS Comparisons which, although you present them all, I don't think should be left in this Processor Playlist. Otherwise this isn't special. It's just more random stuff from The Verge.
Danielle Varejão I'm striving to add deeper to the other videos, trying to balance some fun with the intellectual stuff. Will keep working at the balance, genuinely appreciate the feedback 😅 - Dietet
The Verge Gladly! Keep up the good work. These videos really set you apart from other Tech Video guys, Dietet. And I appreciate your insights (plus the fact that you’ve responded!) 👍