Smartphone Addiction & Civil Decline
<< UNDER CONSTRUCTION >>
POINTS
For years I never owned a cell phone. I had a land line and an answering machine until 2007. I hated the concept of being always available and valued my solitude.
When I saw the first ad for the iPhone I said to my wife “That is going to change to world”. I was correct, but not for the reasons I thought at the time. (We can argue about the first true “Smart Phone” but I am talking about wide adoption, breaking down the barrier between niche and practicle.)
Smartphones changed my perception of owning a cell phone because of the advantages of having a portable “computer in your pocket.” (Outside of phone calls and texting which I was uninterested in.)
People did not jump on the band wagon right away, early adoption and waiting in line at the movie theater (Harry Potter 6?)
There were no games or apps at first. There were no social media apps. You could email, text, browse the web, take notes, film video?, watching movies, listen to music. It was a sandwich of all these independent devices.
The rise of Social Media, attention currency, echo chambers, homophily:
(The tendency of individuals to associate and bond with others who are similar to them – “birds of a feather flock together.”)
US vs. Them / The rise and reach of misinformation.
The similarities between Short Form Content and Drug Addiction.
Looking around the waiting room (SMH – Read a fuckin’ book!) / Watching my kids do sports.
Breaking the Chains & Touching Grass (How I am holding myself accountable.)
