Do You Own Your Electronic Device or Does It Own You?

[Gman]

I own it. It's a tool. When I drive, it's connected to the car via Bluetooth and in my pocket. When I drive, I drive. I don't even like to talk & drive. If someone does call, they're likely to hear me say I'll call you back in X minutes (when I get where I'm going).

This all makes me more aware of the drivers around me...and particularly aware of when they're dicking around with their phones and not driving. I see pedestrians crossing streets slowly, because they can't get their heads out of their phones. Come on, people. Live your lives. Nobody gives a shit about the dessert you ordered after dinner. If you're at a concert or event, keep your phone in your pocket. Your eyes are Hi-Def and enjoy the experience. Nobody is going to watch your stupid video.

Heard an account from a co-worker how his daughter was taking video of the recent hail storm. She's taking it from the open garage, talking about what a horrific storm this was with baseball sized hail stones bouncing off the lawn. The father notices that her car is parked outside and taking damage, while the daughter is taking video from the wide-open garage. "Why didn't you move your car into the garage?" Her answer, "I'm so disappointed in myself." This account brought to mind a good name for that generation...."The Spectator Generation". They aren't actively engaged in life, just watching it happen on their phones and commenting.

[hatidua]

I'm going to go out on a limb and make the wild assumption that most of the respondents thus far in this thread are over 21 (maybe not all, but most). As such, the notion that they control their phone vs the other way around may indeed hold true. However, I don't think the assertion in the OP's article is remotely exagerated when it comes to college aged people. Every time I've driven anywhere near The Hill or on campus at CU, phones absolutely are controlling their robot owners. None seem able to pry their eyes away from the screen even long enough to see if there is an oncoming car or not, they just walk right across the street assuming that oncoming drivers aren't like they are: glued to their phone screens. Or, potentially more likely, oblivious to the fact that they are even in a four lane street.

And, quite aside from the above, for your viewing pleasure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngt1JK3DyOU

[OtterbatHellcat]

I have a love/hate relationship with the damn cell phone/personal mobile computer.

I don't mess with it when I'm behind the wheel though, that's super retarded.

[BushMasterBoy]

I admit I have 4 telephones. Each phone has a specific purpose. I rarely use them, but when I do they are invaluable. I fear the day is coming when I have to carry a satellite phone. Any way I just saw this utuber vid, so I am going to post it here as it already has 5 million views in one week! Not sure how original it is. It is about the phone/text social phenomena.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKd2QVrQVIM

[buffalobo]

On a hopeful note, I lost a bet to minion #1 recently. The bet was that he could not go electronic free from Wed 6 pm to Sun 6 pm.

He thought about it for couple minutes and handed me his phone and game phone. Rest of minions were sworn to not share and report violations and collusion.

He breezed thru pretty easy, said Sun nite when I gave phones back that shooting, farming, gardening and dirt bikes make it easy to give up the electronics.

[Irving]

That's why I thought the article was dramatic. I live on my phone, but have never had trouble giving it up.

[Gman]

Does your phone make a noise and the person you're talking to look at you and say "aren't you going to get that"?

I tell the person I'm talking to that they are my priority, I can always look at my device later.

"That's what voicemail is for."

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