{dis}Connected!

{dis}connected – Part III

(or you could also say)

Digitally absorbed {sad} souls in Hoboken, NJ

We’ve collected literally thousands of photos of people “digitally absorbed” in their smartphone or other devices over the years.

It’s gotten worse and worse each time we choose to observe.

Some obvious questions are:

• Why? What is so important?
• What cannot wait until later?
• Are you a “time sensitive” person?
• Can you have a private time at home?
• What makes you do that in public?
• Are there barriers you can abide by?

What family time? Haha!

I typically enjoy video broadcasts by a fellow named Casey Neistat on YouTube. And even he displayed a video recently that depicted exactly what I’m referring to – the entire family “digitally disconnected” from real life. “I’m just checking something” was one of the excuses.

Really? How shallow and self-centered is that?

If that doesn’t annoy you… well…

(Some exceptions, however – are if you run an online business, for example…)

Status updates more important than crosswalk safety

And now people don’t even care about their own safety – or avoiding the hassle of a police report when they walk into traffic. A recent report said that Emergency room visits from distracted walking have skyrocketed.

And they have the fucking nerve to give you a “dirty look” if you almost hit them? Go to hell, distracted walkers!

Getting status update a higher priority than crosswalk safety.

It’s everywhere like a virus

Here are a few more photos that hopefully will make people more aware of what is happening to the world we live in.

This girl obviously suffering bad from “text necks syndrome:”

Looking like a frumpy fool due to cell phone over-use.

I can imagine some folks so accustomed to ordering food via app – that they forgot how to verbally communicate their sandwich order.

“One large Italian hero…”

How much do you want to bet that the attention span and memory of most heavy phone users is dwindling?

“I won’t remember a word you said whatsoever…”

The way some people hold their phones is downright annoying…

“The world needs to know I AM ON THE PHONE!”

Not a good example to set for children.

There is no app for actual experience and observation, though.

And even grandma getting into it? Proof the virus has almost completely overcome humanity.

Well, it could help the more forgetful old-timers, right?

That’s it for today. We’ll continue our observations of the world around us – while at the same time fortifying our resistance to the virus.

Good luck out there!

{dis}connected – Part II

8/28/2015 Update:

Here’s an update to the story did earlier this summer about the syndrome which has affected nearly 100% of the population: the need to be constantly connected.

I have some additional observations that I’ll add (beyond the “FOMO” fear of missing out feeling).

• It’s astonishing how few people now truly enjoy being alone, including ditching the digital leash.
• We’ve specifically limited our “connected” time to a refreshing desktop computer. Remember those? Multiple screens. Nice keyboard. Easy to read. Room to breathe. I don’t see how mobile devices are pleasurable to anyone.
• Have you ever thought about how the constant contact has affected your natural way of thinking? Or solving problems?

Anyway – as we observe the people around us – it’s getting frighteningly uncommon to see anyone without that technology in their hands. And how fast it’s “infected” so many. Here’s what is commonplace in 2015:

It’s complete: 100% {digitally} connected at all times

6/29/2015 Update:
It’s no secret that we have an opinion about the proliferation of “technology” (namely the constant contact and communication).

Don’t you think it’s astounding that almost everyone seems to have their digital communicator (most often a “smart phone”), either:

1. looking at it; swiping, typing, or watching
2. in their hands (recently looked at it – or will look at it again in a few seconds)
3. connected to their ears (via headphones of some kind)

I find it amazing that what boils down to a miniature computer has made such in-roads into so many aspects of (most everyone else’s) life. Almost to the point where they can’t (and refuse to) do without. It becomes more obvious by the day.

Getting from “point A to point B” (used to) have meaning once upon a time. It added valuable data to our brains. Made us location-aware without maps, enriched our senses of observation, kept us safe (and on our toes). Down-time away from artificial distractions helps you grow. (See a recent post published called The Quiet Warrior to understand more…)

This includes cars too – which most family vehicles are now equipped with mobile movie theaters to keep kids mentally distracted.

Eventually, will it even matter where you physically are anymore? You can be anywhere as long as you’re lost in your digital world. However, that might be hard – considering you won’t have much to tweet or instagram about if you’re in the middle of nowhere. Whoops! Catch-22!

Eye-contact and friendly conversation needs to make a comeback soon before it’s too late!