Over the weekend we had a huge storm which blew out cell phone towers and knocked out power for hours. This gave me a lot of time to think about how reliant we are on technology.
When driving to work I see several people looking at their crotch, I assume on their phones. When waiting at the doctors office, everyone sits and stares down at their phones. I see people pull out phones when they’re eating meals with loved ones. I see teenagers charging their phones at malls, others walking into traffic while texting.
Technology has been used for awhile now, but I feel like it’s getting out of control now more than ever. Why do we need to scroll through our Facebook feed 27 times an hour? We don’t.
I believe technology is taking away from social opportunities and perhaps the sense of community we’re to feel in public spaces. I remember riding the bus when I moved to the city, when people chatted and joked, which made me feel a sense of community. I loved meeting people when waiting for a table at a restaraunt or making small talk while in a line up. These times are no more.
Whenever I am in public, I try to make an effort to put my phone away and connect with strangers around me. This doesn’t mean following people around yammering, ha! Even smiling at others as you walk by, or looking to make eye contact on the bus. Let’s be honest though, no ones perfect, almost everyone has some sort of technology these days and we’re all guilty for checking a text at the dinner table, or reading as we walk down the street. But why? It’s as if it’s a strange addiction. What caused this?!
How is your community doing for technology use? Is it a problem?any advice for those over-users? How can we improve?
nannygrannie 