Put the hand computer down. Yes you, person simultaneously skimming the Catalyst and Instagram on your too-smart phone.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m all about the power of my phone. It’s great. I get lost less, keep connected with long-distance friends more, and know where the constellations are at any given time of day. However, I can’t help but notice the older I get the more absorbed people become with their phones. Whether you have an Android or the constantly growing iPhone, it’s all the same. Our phones can be extremely helpful and even more distracting.
I will be the first to admit, I too partake in excessive phone use when out to dinner or just hanging out with friends. A lull in the conversation, and “shwoop”—out comes my glitter-incased iPhone. Heaven forbid if I miss an Instagram, Snapchat, Tweet, or Facebook post. I use to think nothing of it. Sure, it was a little annoying when someone would pull out his or her phone while in the middle of a conversation, but that’s the way our generation is. Right? We think we can simultaneously multitask everything, from our phones to work to school to relationships.
It wasn’t until a friend of mine started mentioning the excessive use of the “hand computer” (as she so cleverly calls our smart phones) that I stopped to take notice of not only my usage, but also the people around me.
A question that really troubles me is why my phone is allowed on the dinner table? I guess not just the dinner table, but out in the open while sharing a meal. As a child in the midst of a technology boom, I remember having very specific rules about proper dinner manners. There was no singing at the table, no sitting like a monkey, no games (my parents term for all technology), and definitely no leaving the dinner table until I asked politely to be excused. (And no, I did not grow up in some lavish home were staff served me dinner.) So when did these rules stop applying? And why are our phones an exception to the rules?
Here at CC, we supposedly value intellectual conversations and inquiries amongst our friends and peers. Yet, we all still pretend we can multitask and have meaningful conversation while using our hand computers, Now, I’m not saying to go completely off the grid. Don’t, your parents and loved ones do want to check in. But rather to be present and engaged in whatever you’re doing. Whether its exercising, getting coffee with a friend, enjoying a meal, having “you” time, studying, etc. If we all took the time to really immerse ourselves in our surroundings can you imagine how much you would learn and get done in a day?
The choice is yours. But, most likely you chose your hand computer over this article.