Very true, ipples.
If you can't see the sheer convenience of having something so small that it fits into your pocket which not only allows instant communication as, when and if it's needed - sometimes in important situations as Rhiannon and I both noted or even in vital situations, as ipster said - but allows you to look up anything in seconds, get the weather forecast, sports results if that's your thing, the news, you name it ... well, why anybody would choose to limit themselves in such a way is something I'll never understand.
We did without such things in years past because we had to and had no choice - but now we do and we're the better for it.