Are we “falling for it”?

Question:
After 2-3 hours “online” (staring at a screen / scrolling mindlessly) how do you feel?

(My) Answer:
Drained!

I frequently think about other (analog/real life) activities I could be doing.
Activities that I feel better doing.
Activities that have been displaced by a screen.
Activities that benefit my mental and physical health. (not suck it dry).

Q. Do we really need a cell in our hand 24/7?

 

Cell phones began as an emergency / light use “tool”.
I know. I was in the cellular industry way back when  the bag phone was a thing!
Today, the phone is literally part of peoples hand.
Do it all on our “app” save time, save money ,” Its convenient “.


“Falling for it”.

Bank accounts, “social” media, food shopping, book reading, audio recording,
Picture taking, stock trading, emailing, text messaging, GPS, Govt disease tracking,
music playing, web searching, online ordering, fast food ordering,
restaurant wait texting, exercise monitoring, car remote control, bill paying,
Entry into events….

Again, this started as as a device that you kept in your glove compartment.
One that you owned-but didn’t own you.
The tables have turned.

Are we “falling for it”?

Today’s modern lifestyle:

Everyone connected, but no ones connecting.
There is so much “getting done” but so little enjoyment.
So much information, so little inspiration.
We unconsciously fill each possible gap between activities,
each moment of downtime with scrolling.

Having your phone with you causes stress.
NOT having your phone with you causes stress.

Are we “falling for it”?

The more things change, the more they stay the same.
(Quote from Henry David Thoreau – from his book Walden c. 1850’s)

—————————

 

“We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate…
We are eager to tunnel under the Atlantic and bring the old world some weeks nearer to the new; but perchance the first news that will leak through into the broad flapping American ear will be that Princess Adelaide has the whooping cough.”
———————

That statement came from a man who was at peace. Content with the speed of life.
He was a rare soul who questioned “falling for it”.
He was living out what we want most today.
“Presence”

Are we “falling for it”?

The way I see it….

Thoreau simply could not see any added benefit to squandering  his precious attention…
(his presence) on anything beyond his local area (his community).
Local , tangible community- is a strong yearning of people today as well.
BUT
Today, we are more involved in what others (online) say they are doing
– even if they are thousands of miles away- than we are with our own lives.
Never mind the lives of people all around you (at the store, in line – on the sidewalk
People that don’t really notice you anymore.
Their phone is more important.

How long will we- will YOU choose to live like this?

 

 Welcome to the R3volution!
You  are NOT alone.
-Scott