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Dear Blackberry Users of the Universe…

Hello all of my fellow Blackberry users out there in the wide universe. I have a simple message today.
I do not want to be a part of your team.

dr2

This goes out to everyone out there who takes their Blackberry out of their pocket at every possible opportunity to flash it in my face as if I am supposed to be impressed by the life changing beauty of their QWERTY keyboard. For everyone out there who has a Blackberry with no data plan on it, no internet access, and no email accounts synced to it. Everyone out there who ran out and bought a Blackberry a few months ago because they suddenly realized some of these so called cool people had them. God forbid you bought them because Jay-Z name dropped it in a lyric. If that is the case than I’ll just pray for your soul and end the rant here.

For what reason would you carry around these obnoxiously large phones unless you have a reason to use it? Don’t give me the “I’ve had a Blackberry since high school” response. I don’t really want to hear that either. What were you doing in highschool with your Blackberry? Forwarding Myspace surveys to your BFF from your AOL email address? I’m having a hard time figuring out what the appeal of these plastic encased blocks of circuit boards is. Before you scroll down to the comment section and call me a iPhone-flag-waving hater please hold on for a moment.

I’ve carried around my god forsaken Blackberry for years. I’ve had more than 5 and less than 10. I break them like it’s my job and scratch the screens like I was the bastard child of DJ Premier and Qbert. I carry this thing around because I “have” to. There are 900 something unread messages in my Inbox and if I didn’t cut half of them down with the Blackberry than I’d just give up email all together. At the end of the day though? I do not want this thing.

dr

I do not want to walk around and have people ask me for my “pin.” How about you just call me brother? We can talk you know like…human beings. I don’t want to get that awkward nod of “approval” from the other kid on the University bus with the newest Blackberry when he recognizes my use of the same phone. You can keep your nod brother I’m feeling ok without my existence being validated by our shared cell phones.

If I had the opportunity to throw this thing from the window and move on with life I would be hurling like freshmen on Thirsty Thursdays on campus. I respect the hell out of people like my man Purp in NYC who gets by on a day to day basis with no phone. For those of you walking around with Blackberry’s purely because they are Blackberrys…I am saddened by your need to be accepted by a group of people who’s lives live in their hands. For those of you who use a Blackberry because you have to…well, I feel your pain. Prayers go out for the day where we can all live in log cabins and smoke wood pipes and text message refers to us writing text on paper.

iPhones you say? Lord don’t get me started.

Stay Safe-Phil.
(More frequent posts coming soon when I’m in better moods. Got some good stuff coming your way.)

October 15, 2009

2 Responses

  1. Dear Blackberry Users of the Universe… | Phillip T. Annand | Hypebeast | Mobce on October 16, 2009
  2. BlackBerry on October 16, 2009

50 Comments

  1. Posted by: Kaifer on October 15, 2009 at 6:24 pm

    I’m glad someone spoke! It’s no different over in england!

  2. Posted by: Theo Martins on October 15, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    “…I break them like it’s my job and scratch the screens like I was the bastard child of DJ Premier and Qbert.”, somebody get this guy a record deal.

  3. Posted by: marlo stanfield on October 15, 2009 at 7:17 pm

    Wat about the ppl who love technology and just feel like the blackberry is the best phone on the market? Wat are ur thoughts on us?

  4. Posted by: K1NGPIN K on October 15, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    Go inn!

  5. Posted by: Grant on October 15, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    Haha I had one in highschool, but i’ve had a business since I was 16, I get probably 50-60 emails a day, have to keep schedules stuff like that. I could see why you hate it though.

  6. Posted by: Phillip T. Annand on October 15, 2009 at 8:27 pm

    Marlo for you I have no complaints. But if you’re about technology I say go check out some Japanese cell phones. I haven’t looked in years but I’m sure they’re lightyears ahead of us.

  7. Posted by: Matt Itsbongoboy on October 15, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    Phil you speak the truth

  8. Posted by: joshua d on October 15, 2009 at 8:41 pm

    *like*

  9. Posted by: Jay on October 15, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    these other blogs are truly just pale in comparison…

  10. Posted by: Jonny Boy Wallace on October 15, 2009 at 9:39 pm

    WOW i was reading this (on my blackberry) and i gotta tell you.. life changing lol
    i’m going to try and live without my Blackberry for a week. I love my Berry but something inside me just wants it to get rid of it.

    I do miss the days when people used to call now people don’t even text message they BBM or Facebook you all day. If you’re reading this and you own a Blackberry just leave it alone for one week ,I guarantee wen the week is over you’ll wonder… “why do i need this thing again?”

  11. Posted by: 1994 on October 15, 2009 at 9:41 pm

    “How about you just call me brother? We can talk you know like…human beings.”

    wait, what?

  12. Posted by: MeccaDon on October 15, 2009 at 9:49 pm

    Sorry Brother Phil, but I got a “Phone Lockdown” for my Blackberry

    …I hope you caught that nice plug lol

  13. Posted by: nate easy on October 15, 2009 at 10:15 pm

    damn kidd ur off the chain right now, your acting like the blk berry slaped ur mom. Chill my man its just a phone plain an simple. The blk berry is one of the best phones out there, they were made for business people so there built to last. if ur breaking ur phone left and rite, then thats a problem. Anyways ur a good dude an i enjoy ur posts.

  14. Posted by: Mr.West on October 15, 2009 at 10:21 pm

    the iphone is pretty cool man lol from a non blackberry/iphone user.

  15. Posted by: Pass to the left on October 15, 2009 at 11:47 pm

    It’s a highly functional phone. Yea some people have one so that they can feel “cool” but most people who spend that much on the phone actually have a data plan and use it like it was meant to be used.

    You want to get rid of your blackberry because of how others use the phone? Seems to me like you’re just as bad as the people without data plans.

  16. Posted by: Joel T. on October 16, 2009 at 12:03 am

    Real Talk Phil !!!

  17. Posted by: Phillip T. Annand on October 16, 2009 at 12:08 am

    1994: I think you misread the sentence my good sir.
    Mecca: That video is an internet classic haha.
    Nate: Everyonce and a while you have to say something to rile up the folks and get people speaking. Someone has to do it and when there’s no food in my apartment and I’m tired I guess it falls to me. Haha thanks for the compliment bruv.
    Mr. West: I agree, the iPhone is quite cool.

    Pass to the left: I don’t want to get rid of my Blackberry because of how others use it. I want to get rid of my Blackberry because I constantly am connected to my “work” because of it and I simply wish to walk around with no strings attached. If people want to walk around with a Blackberry to get their rocks off, I’m all for it. Who am I at the end of the day yadda yadda? Thanks for the comment sir.

  18. Posted by: JAyP on October 16, 2009 at 12:44 am

    phil i feel the same way but towards tattoos, but i noticed me being mad or blogging it isnt gonna change anything, i just learned to get over it. i have a blackberry curve 8900, i had it for 2 months now and i love it might be my last cell phone forever, i didnt get it because it was cool, i got it because i just wanted to get away from that god awful sidekick bs, but i didnt get mines to feel cool or accepted, i jus wanted it cuz it was a step ahead in me maturing as a person and for me to sell my paintings and drawings in the near future, but i hate when ppl tell ne get the blackberry storm cuz its better and its touchscreen i just always reply naaah not to much into materialistics just something PLAIN AND SIMPLE AND THAT WORKS LOL

  19. Posted by: JAyP on October 16, 2009 at 12:46 am

    another thing your camera takes some ssssiiiick photos, love it

  20. Posted by: Andy Chiu on October 16, 2009 at 4:08 am

    good one - but i cant throw mine away either….as much as i want sometimes

  21. Posted by: Daniel F2D on October 16, 2009 at 4:47 am

    I’m feelin you on this one brother.. i have a berry simply because of what i do for a living. i have several email accounts i need to keep up with them on daily basis and such.

    the phone takes up half of my pocket and i hate that!!!

  22. Posted by: CDAJR on October 16, 2009 at 5:32 am

    Your angry because people like the best phone?

    Your angry because people follow eachother? do you know what fashion is?

    i had know idea this was gonna such a waste of time to read

    you are a hater, simple, blackberrys are cool, people like them, get over it, and get over yourself man.

    you didnt design it, and you werent the first person to use it “correctly”.

    BS

  23. Posted by: Diego on October 16, 2009 at 8:09 am

    I´ll try to express, i´m brazilian and my english is not quite perfect.
    But Phil, this is the age of consumism…and you have to be an idealistic not feel sufocated by the midia, it´s hard for some people not being acepted.
    Here in brazil only bussiness guys have blackberrys, what rule here is the iphone, and imagine its 3x more expansive than in america, and 80% of people who buy it don´t have enught money to even pay the bill…they just need the shell to show off, and it comes to a point where it´s ok to be a poser, it´s socialy acepted.
    Is it stupid? Who am i to judge…but it´s not only about blackberrys, here in brazil it´s about clothes even more, poeple buy fake Diesel, Adidas, Puma, Armani t-shirts and show then off like it´s original, in the clubs…they do that whith sneakers and bags and watchs…but lipovstsky explains, do you know his work?
    So thats it, i´m very sorry about the bad english!

  24. Posted by: kiko on October 16, 2009 at 9:33 am

    If you hate your blackberry so much why do you take pictures of it?

  25. Posted by: what the fuck on October 16, 2009 at 10:14 am

    No one thinks about this that much. Who really gives a shit if other people have a BB and flash it? You really care about image that much? Its so funny its gets you that mad and you feel you have to justify yourself for being a bbuser for years to support ur argument. Kinda sad. You my dood feel the need to be accepted for your blackberry.

  26. Posted by: what the fuck on October 16, 2009 at 10:14 am

    Dude ur so important.

  27. Posted by: johnGEE on October 16, 2009 at 10:18 am

    but its so sexy thoughhh

  28. Posted by: PROPS! on October 16, 2009 at 11:17 am

    http://nonrhotic.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/kettle-black.jpg

  29. Posted by: Phillip T. Annand on October 16, 2009 at 11:49 am

    JayP- Hah, I hear you man whatever works at the end of the day. Appreciate the comment on the pics!
    Andy- Appreciate it man!

    Daniel-Toss it out the window man! Let me know if you do it haha.

    CDAJR- Haha I have no idea what fashion is and I’m not really angry about anything. Apologize for the fact that you seem to be so heated under the collar there though. The article was more of an extended joke, everyone around me has a Blackberry and they seemed to be able to read, laugh, and move on with life. Sorry you couldn’t do the same.

    Diego- Appreciate the over seas comment sir! I agree with you 100% well put man.

    Kiko-Great question sir but the above picture was taken of me years ago and with the magic of Photoshop cropping I
    was able to make it apply here. The other one was merely of all my stuff at the park, Photoshop crops again make it look all nice.

    what the fuck- Never claimed to be important but I do claim to think. Thinking is grand brother and you’re right. I’m just a huge fat stinking hypocrite. Appreciate your dropping the comment regardless.

    JohnGee: I agree it’s quite splendid in that regard.

    Guys the article is a joke, have to take everything a little less seriously. Take it easy bruvs.

  30. Posted by: Aaron on October 16, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    its funny how all of the BB users are getting mad, because most of them fall under one of those catergories mentioned when it comes to the purpose of having it…

  31. Posted by: bafic on October 16, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    amen it like that here in the uk its funny one boy said to after he bought his blackberry on pay as you go soo how do i go on the internet haha

  32. Posted by: p on October 16, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    nice rant, but why dont you just ditch the BB and get an iphone?

  33. Posted by: Ebuno on October 16, 2009 at 5:56 pm

    I def hear you man. I was robbed last week of my Blackberry, which in itself is unfortunate, but I didn’t go crazy like most people thought I would. I have been “reduced” to a clamshell phone for now, but for the few days I didn’t have my Blackberry….I was, dare I say it, ok. No buzzing every ten seconds to read an e-mail or get a PIN message from another BBM user. It has been peaceful ever since.

  34. Posted by: p on October 17, 2009 at 2:37 am

    btw phil what’re those gold kicks ur wearing? very nice

  35. Posted by: SoHo B on October 17, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    the separation between man and nature… technology.

  36. Posted by: C on October 17, 2009 at 7:28 pm

    At the end of the day its just a phone that people like, why does it matter to you what other people have?.. Its like saying a non-athletic person is stupid for wearing jordans

  37. Posted by: dip's on October 18, 2009 at 7:54 am

    je pense que beaucoup utilise leur blackberry pr se donner un style particulier
    chris from france(need your help phil)

  38. Posted by: @a_smith on October 18, 2009 at 10:29 am

    WOW this is a great write up…………..

  39. Posted by: playWrite on October 18, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    Hi Phil,

    I love your blog! I think you’re hitting a lot of smart points that don’t often get talked about in these circles. I especially love that you’re hip to having a conversation about the thoughts you post.

    All that said, I have to honest and say I can’t agree with you on this one.

    To play devil’s advocate for a moment: these people you diss for being superficial about a gadget are most likely a part of the market who pay lots of $$ to wear t-shirts from your label as well as others. I mean, it’s interesting to notice when these young heads are cool and when they aren’t. I think we’d all like to celebrate those consumers who use our products based on principal or out of cultural necessity (does such a philosophy even exist in “street wear”?), but the truth of the matter is these obnoxious kids bring in profit, too.

    I carry a BB out of convenience and necessity. I love this thing, but often curse the fact that I’m tethered to it. I feel your pain.

  40. Posted by: Abi.K on October 18, 2009 at 3:01 pm

    ive been waitng for someone to speak of this lol.. ive had one but i have a sprint touch now.. but truth in speakin phil

  41. Posted by: Frank on October 25, 2009 at 11:16 am

    the best phone on the market is my piece of shit SAMSUNG flip phone. I’ve dropped it more times than you can drop any blackberry, it’s caught on fire, it’s been painted on, and it’s been run over… It still texts, and it still makes phone calls. EXACTLY WHAT A PHONE SHOULD DO.
    A reliable phone is the best and most functional phone on the market. Not one that “looks cool” and does shit that I can do on my computer at home.
    but I’m just a normal dude.
    and minimalist.

  42. Posted by: NicoleIsys on October 26, 2009 at 1:51 pm

    Yessssss!!! Couldn’t of said it better myself!

  43. Posted by: Kahlil on October 27, 2009 at 11:40 am

    ” I would be hurling like freshmen on Thirsty Thursdays on campus. ” BREDREN>>>>your killing me over here…good stuff

  44. Posted by: Sila R on October 30, 2009 at 9:17 am

    this guy is actually right at what he is saying, people get blackberry’s because it has become a “fashion”.

  45. Posted by: Blandmoney on November 1, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    Please do yourself a favor - Don’t post when your in a bad mood!

    I’m a def. fan of you entrepreneurship, your work the Award Tour is to be applauded. When I first came to hypebeast, I loved how the “hypebeast” went against the grain of what was considered fashionable. Quality over quantity, always bucking the trends. You’d see how users would evolve from the common Jordan, Supreme, with a fitted two step -to -their own stylized view of what is fashionable. Prime examples of this are the guys over at streetetiquette, it wasn’t too long ago they were rocking a rotation of Jay’s with a pair of sagging jeans. Now they lead where they once followed.

    Now most “hypebeast” are simply trend followers, looking for the latest accessory or gadget that is supposedly accepted by all as hot. Funny how some will now mock JKiss’s posting on WDYWT, while their outfits are carbon copies one day to the next. Yeah I see that white casio rocking, blackberry typing, kermit tee wearing, jeans 3x sizes too small wearing sheep walking around the city stumbling while they try to post to their blogs about how unique they are because they just stood in line and got an item that was only produced for 300,000 people, and I hate it too. I hate seeing something I loved turned into the very thing it was opposed to.

    But you have the ability and duty to be above rant postings. Truth is your doing what most wish they could - your building yourself up into what you wish to be as opposed to what society would pigeon hole you into. That’s why people visit your blog, because you offer what so few do, a unique opinion. If I wanted a rant posting about what everyone already knew I’d visit perezhilton or watch the View.

  46. Posted by: 304Mystery on November 2, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    That’s funny as hell you keep doing what you do bruh, people think that their the realest thing walking just, because they have a blackberry. They have these blackberry’s and don’t even really know what the blackberry was made for. I carry a simple touch screen phone because thats all I need, I don’t have 200 or so people emailing me so why carry the big brick, and most go, and most buy because they’re followers.

  47. Posted by: James on November 9, 2009 at 2:41 am

    I really hate Blackberries with a passion. The pinging sound is what drives me nuts. It will fade away very soon, as with all trends…good riddance.

  48. Posted by: AlifeLaMz on November 9, 2009 at 6:15 pm

    HAHAHA and finally someone speaks….
    i walk around with a verizon glyde…blackberry’s are cool but just not for me
    especiallly!!!! at this particular time
    maybe when i get more guap and more important

  49. Posted by: Rock Co. & Kane on November 12, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    i didn’t know blackberry was a trend, i guess this wave didn’t hit Baltimore yet, well at least the urban part, I have one though, if it turns into like how g-shocks are now then i will be heated lol.

  50. Posted by: TokyoMike on November 13, 2009 at 5:02 am

    Funny rant…..everyone here’d DIE without their cellphone. Nobody on the train talks to the person next to them…..everyone’s got their heads buried in their phone, probably texting the person they just left the house trying to AVOID……..I can pay bills and buy food just by waving my phone at the cash register, I can get online and send emails faster than hell, but I wish I wasn’t tethered to the damn thing.

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