3 ms·

The difference is that before, you would've been called out as some species of asshole if you suddenly wandered out of, let's say a conversation, to go do one o

The difference is that before, you would've been called out as some species of asshole if you suddenly wandered out of, let's say a conversation, to go do one of those things. But for some reason people seem to think the phone endows them with the ability to do two things at once. Sure, the phone does its thing, but your own powers haven't increased even slightly. If people could see themselves from outside, they'd see just how good at multi-tasking they are. Namely they'd watch themselves doing a whole host of things absently and shittily... including but not limited to parenting. One thing at a time is plenty if you've a mind toward mastering that moment and living it. PS I don't believe any of the people quoted saying "Wow really opens your eyes huh, a lesson for us all" are going to change one iota!

derefr 8y ago
Now this is a salient point, I think. We train ourselves to whip out our phones when there's even a minute of "unusable" time. We use our phones while waiting in line, while on the bus, while on the toilet, etc. We condition ourselves that you respond to being a little bit bored by pulling out your phone. And so, if you're a little bit bored while talking to someone? Oops, you've just pulled out your phone. I do that. I catch myself doing it, though, and sheepishly put it away, pretending I was just checking the time. It requires a bit of self-awareness, though, and that decreases when people are tired and under stress. I would expect that people who would previously just be "zoning out" are now "phoning out." (On the other hand, you know what seems to be a novel piece of social etiquette that I entirely approve of? People whipping out their phones while eating. Not while waiting for their food—while actually putting the food in their mouths. There's seemingly no longer a social norm about "not talking with your mouth full", so people try to carry on a conversation while also getting food stuffed into their food-holes, and neither one goes as well. Presenting yourself as slightly distracted [by, say, an "interesting" article on your phone] decreases the social pressure on everyone else to talk. It's a social-engineering "hack", that seems to be rapidly approaching an established convention.)

derefr 8y ago

Now this is a salient point, I think. We train ourselves to whip out our phones when there's even a minute of "unusable" time. We use our phones while waiting in line, while on the bus, while on the toilet, etc. We condition ourselves that you respond to being a little bit bored by pulling out your phone. And so, if you're a little bit bored while talking to someone? Oops, you've just pulled out your phone. I do that. I catch myself doing it, though, and sheepishly put it away, pretending I was just checking the time. It requires a bit of self-awareness, though, and that decreases when people are tired and under stress. I would expect that people who would previously just be "zoning out" are now "phoning out." (On the other hand, you know what seems to be a novel piece of social etiquette that I entirely approve of? People whipping out their phones while eating. Not while waiting for their food—while actually putting the food in their mouths. There's seemingly no longer a social norm about "not talking with your mouth full", so people try to carry on a conversation while also getting food stuffed into their food-holes, and neither one goes as well. Presenting yourself as slightly distracted [by, say, an "interesting" article on your phone] decreases the social pressure on everyone else to talk. It's a social-engineering "hack", that seems to be rapidly approaching an established convention.)