A lot of things have worked out for thousands of years.

If you can use a computer, you can use a smartphone. It's just a form factor.

The amount of mental gymnastics some people go through to justify their irrational decisions is always mind-boggling --- and these are some of the smartest people

I'm a software dev, and I leave my phone at home as often as I can. I know how to use it. I've been contracted to write apps for both droid and iphone. Still I'd rather leave all tech at home. I'm not justifying it. I don't like being distracted.

I don't install apps because I 100% don't trust the devs who write apps. Or well I don't trust their bosses. Corners are cut and security and UX typically takes a back seat to "the funnel"

My gym (located right across the street from my house) requires me to check in via an app. I have no issues walking across the street and getting the clerk to manually do it for me. NO I didn't bring a phone to my workout.

Just subscribe to security advisory and similar and the "irrational decision" will suddenly become a completely rational one.

Your ignorance about other people's thought process doesn't imply they don't have a thought process.