There once was a time where I didn’t care where my phone was as long as it was in my general vicinity. Take it back further, and I can remember a time where I didn’t care about being able to be reached outside of my home. We used pay phones to call home. I used 1-800-COLLECT in some instances. There wasn’t a huge worry about a teenager being out. We were able to live. There was a time in life where we were disconnected, and it was ok.
To say times have changed is a gross understatement.
I’m on my phone all of the time now. Let me rephrase. We are on our phone constantly. Texting. Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. Snap Chat. News story comment sections. At home. At the gym. In the airport. Walking down the street. Grocery shopping in Wal-Mart. We are continually on some electronic device. In fact, I’m on my phone writing this as we speak. Even more of a fact, you’re reading this through a tablet, phone, or laptop.
With so much accessibility to others, one would figure meaningful communication is at an all time high. It’s quite the opposite. Peruse a comments section and you’ll read some ugly things. Yet, we rush back to defend our point (guilty as charged!!). That’s only the social media aspect of things.
Texting had become the new method of communication in the last 10 years. So much so that people would rather text than be on the phone. I find this odd because you’re still “on the phone.” However, the personal connection of hearing the other’s voice is not there. Nonetheless, some critical conversions have taken place via text, and a lot of points have been misconstrued. Above all, it keeps our full attention.
At what point do we get tired of being connected?
Have you ever asked yourself when is the last time you didn’t purposely grab your phone? You walked right out knowing it’ll be there when you get back. When’s the last time you did that?
Some folks can’t live without having access to emails, texts, or phone calls. In fact, others get mad when one doesn’t have their phone on them. I, however, need a break. I just want to throw my phone, go through the detox period, and be free. Eliminate the hassle of being tied down to a machine, and live. Enjoy life.
I want to logoff. Sign out. Disconnect.
It would make life easier in some aspects. I could be carefree by not being continually bombarded by the latest tragedy. I would stop the heavy Facebook discussions on said tragedy. No more selfies and pic uploading. No more likes or dislikes for statuses. None of that. I wouldn’t have access to Hulu, Netflix, or the WWE Network via my phone. I wouldn’t hear the familiar text message notification jingle 50 times in a day.
My mind wouldn’t be cluttered.
One can dream, and that dream can turn into reality. For now, I’m going to get dressed, grab my phone, and walk out the door. My life’s routine. Our lives’ routine. It’s what we do.
There will be a day to disconnect. Today is not that day.
I’m going to the game. Text me later?
[Image Credit Flickr via Gongashan]
A Fresh Voice 