A strange phenomenon of the modern day (perhaps the past 300-200 years, but increasing rapidly - I would say) is how we have been using numbers as a form of identification, and how some of these numbers have been internalized. What I mean by this is that the self is starting to be understood through a whole matrix of numerical systems rather than qualitative descriptors. While numbers have always been used in social systems, I think it is only relatively recent where a whole individuals, and the stories of their lives, can be summarized near exclusively by numerical data.
The reason I started thinking about this is because I recently became rather obsessed with area codes. How strange is it that area codes on phone numbers pinpoint a location, and more often than not, at least with the generation of mid-20s early 30s which I interact with/ belong to, is that those numbers are more where one is from rather than where one lives are (the only friends that have had changes in phone numbers are friends who now live abroad full time or friends who are exceptionally chaotic, i.e. multiple broken and/or lost phones). Area codes are a unique unifying feature of a region and population that cannot be fully expressed by strictly geographical terms. For example, if one were to describe the region where they are from, knowledge of an area code might be more succinct than saying Southwest Virgina. Additionally, population denisty is somewhat expressed through area codes as some states have only one (Maine, 207 ; Delaware 302). My home state CT has only two, 203 and 860 - so there is almost intrastate tribalism between the two (Apparently there is a 475 that was introduced in 2012, something called an overlay, which shakes up the whole dynamic, of which I am regrettably unfamiliar with). And then, where I currently live in PA, the area code is the most precise way to get a sense of where someone within the state is: Philly and its burbs 215, 610, 484, 267 and 835 or 570, etc. - then NW PA 814 and 582 (I have not met people from this region), NE PA 570 and 272, Central 717 and 223 and Western PA with 412, 724, 878 with its unique regionality.
There is something almost beautiful about area codes and the feeling they inspire and how they have a sense of identity with them. For example, exchanging phone numbers and realizing that you have the same area code (when outside of the region of said area code) is akin to seeing yourself in another. And something about the 3 digits and the combinations they create, which then are linked to a specific place, is just too much. I think this is most significant in Denver with the area code of 303 which then resulted in the band 3Oh!3 and their hand symbol. And side note, there is something undeniably sexy about a symmetrical area code (Denver’s 303, LA’s 818, NYC’s 212, etc.). Ultimately these three numbers are used to identify not only place, but belonging to such a place, and consequently, are always used when communicating who you are to others via a cell phone number exchange.
But how interesting is this that a 10 number digit is used as a form of personal identification? One might see 10 numbers in a row and see - oh that designates me - with the first 3 numbers identifying geographies. When, in an open system society, has this existed? And it’s not just the phone number, but rather a whole complex web of varying numbers.
Hunter-gathering societies - the only numbers that I think one might realistically “identify” with are birth order (e.g. 3rd Son, 1st Daughter), and perhaps age (calendars and time were perceived almost impossibly different pre-industrial revolution). Can you think of any others? Right away we already have those numbers which we identify with - age being wayyy more scary and attached with social expectations and policy (drinking age, car rental,etc.). Basically, the thesis of this whole thing is that since the dawn of time, the number of related identities have increased - it’s more qualitative.
Some examples of #’s that we also identify with:
Address (relatively not too new, but with postcodes, apartment numbers, and street numbers, an address can look mostly numerical, e.g. 565 48th St. 12095)
Any government-issued number: Social Security Number, Driver’s License, Passport ID (yes, no one actually knows what theirs is, but one technically can)
Credit Card Number
Birthdate (some of these are both quantitative and qualitative, but a BD can certainly be listed as all numbers - in fact I recently gave my birthday as well number over the phone and I found that odd).
Salary (I wonder when this became a category…like imagine a guy in 1822 discussing their salary)
Height and Weight
GPA and SAT scores (if one were a student)
I’m sure that there a lot of other unlisted numbers here but this is just a small summary of things
For Example, these random numbers can all hone in on one Person - 835-34-2673, 24593750281746 26 5/2/1998 178 5’11 $48000 565 48th st.12095 818-223-9032 - the fact these data can tell a story about a person is revealing in the matrix of numbers we can now connect with is interesting.
Okay I’ll be entirely honest with you…I just wanted to write about area codes because it has been my hyperfixation. Yes, all this is true that there are more numbers that define us now, and this is a symptom of the more complex systems in which we live. And it’s valid that these values take away some quantitative elements of our lives. So it may not actually mean anything in a deep sense. But it also might, be something that these numerical systems are in a way taking away a sense of variation, that systems are so complex that they are able to remove us from our caveman roots, systems so complex that numbers are more useful shorthand than a complex story of geography and time. My only advice here: start paying attention to area codes.
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