The other day I was waiting for the bus to Boulder. Usually this bus is packed and there will be a long line waiting for the bus by the time I get to the station. This day was no exception.
Having to wait for the bus to put my bike on before getting in line, I waited facing the enormous line. 90% of the 30 people or so where staring at their cell phones, tablets, etc. for the 10 min or more that we all waited for the bus. What impacts are these screens having on us?
Being of the first generation to experience cell phone use and “tablets” as well as remembering the good times without them. I feel we have a unique perspective on the mastery of the public by the all powerful touch screen.
Something that has never been experienced before our generation is now felt by almost everyone. People spend more and more time staring at screens and interacting with them. In the past we would interact with real live people. When I feel uncomfortable or bored in a situation I take out my six year old cell phone and I check the time without really perceiving the time. It is just a distraction for myself, a comfort for the awkward moments. What does this do for our social skills?
Like any drug we use our devices and social media outputs as a crutch. Like a drug we become to depend upon it and begin to lack in certain areas of our life because of it. When feeling uncomfortable or awkward we should really be talking to the stranger next to us. Grow some skin and make a move.
Our devices are trapping us in addiction and causing a lack of social skills. Can you imagine the differences of a child born today and growing up in this society of comfort and instant gratification? How will this child be different from one born only a hundred years ago?
The real question is how do you feel about this? Is our technology going to save us? Or are we falling into a continual trap of apps and talking with our thumbs?
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