Just a quick update, yes Hurricane Irene did happen, no it was not as big as everyone thought it would be in NYC. All in all, I did however get to see a very deserted Midtown which was really super creepy. Most shops were closed, there were very little people walking around and it was very very quite. It's almost as if the world stopped. Very weird, but it was amazing to experience, I must say.
So i'm going to write about something that is not necessarily inspiring but maybe more uninspiring than anything. While I was riding the subway downtown from the Upper East Side, I observed a couple get on at 49th. The two sat next to each other on a bench and the boy was clearly absorbed with a game he was playing on his smartphone, including hand gestures and mumbling under his breath. The girl on the other hand, who I presumed was his girlfriend, sat there in silence, rolling her eyes and staring at her fingernails. I couldn't help but sympathize with this girl, shaking my head and laughing a bit while I was watching all of this occur. I've been in many a situation where I sat in silence as the person next to me was self absorbed in whatever was going on in their virtual world. It's an awful feeling actually.
To think that the smart phone was created to launch us into a far more advanced world. Yes, it can do incredible things as far as spreading information quickly, but what is it doing as far as human contact goes? In 10, 20 years how will it affect people's interaction with one another? Will people forget how to communicate with each other in person? Will first dates, engagements, even marriages all be initiated via text message?
I must admit, over the years I have fallen a victim to this kind of behavior, quickly pulling out my phone to avoid the awkward 30 second elevator ride down to the lobby with a girl that lives on my floor, or immediately checking my phone as soon as I hear the "ding" of my email go off, indicating I have new mail.
It's destructive behavior if you think about it, have we become nothing more than Pavlov's dog's, salivating at the sound of the bell?
I have made it a vow to myself to cut down on how often I use/check my phone. Maybe this way I will stop being a part of my world and start becoming a part of THE world around me.
Keep Living and Loving,
Beth
it's less about the phone, and more about being aware of your surroundings and the feelings of others. Even before phones people were inconsiderate and rude. Could be a paper, a book, your reflection in a mirror, anything. Rude people are rude. The fact that you noticed means you're not so self absorbed, and you won't make that mistake to begin with.
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