What is it with people and cell phones

[Barbershopman]

I was reading just reading a story about a ball girl at Dogders stadium that saved a fan from a nasty concussion. The guy was in the first row down the third base line when a line drive foul ball was hit and headed straight for the guy.

If not for the spectacular play by the ball girl (who was paying attention to the game), this guy (who was paying attention to his phone instead of the game), would be on a stretcher headed to the emergency room.

Now there is a time and place for paying attention to your phone, but at a ball game? A couple weeks ago, I was at a ball game when I looked around and saw about 40 people paying attention to their phones instead of the game.

I paid almost $50 for the ticket and parking, I'm going to pay attention to the game. I'm sure in LA, that base line ticket and the parking was a lot more than $50. If it is an emergency, I'll pay attention to the phone, otherwise, a phone call can wait a couple hours.

I'll admit I'm a little behind the times, technology wise, but am I missing something?

Sorry for the rant, but thanks for taking the time to read the ravings of an old codger like me.

Barbershopman

 

[desdemona]

Boredom. Constant need for attention and interaction. I can't say that I don't take an e-reader to a game or concert for intermission or long stretches. But answering a call - unless it's an emergency - probably not. I'd still be texting or using other forms of communication though.

 

[Mitchell]

I go to a baseball game once a year., maybe.

When I do, I turn my cell phone off.

Not only because I paid to watch the game, and want to enjoy it, but also.

I've had too many close encounters with foul balls.

I want to pay attention.

One time, I was at a game at the old Shea Stadium in NY in the 1980s.

I was sitting in the stands, and a foul ball was hit toward me, and bounced right off the hands of the person sitting next to me, and dropped into a lower section of seats.

There are enough other times to pay attention to one's phone, without doing so when one is at a baseball game.

I want to pay attention when I'm at the game, both for my own enjoyment, and my safety.

 

[milagros317]

Last year at MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, I had this experience.
I was checking my cellphone and answering text messages between half innings, when there is no chance of being hit by a foul ball. (I was at field level, third base side, infield.) I was struck in the shoulder by a flying t-shirt, wrapped into a roll with a rubber band around it. It seems that they were doing "free t-shirt toss" between half innings then, where employees of the Cyclones throw free t-shirts down from the press box level. The shirt bounced off my right shoulder and landed in my lap. Some people around me, who had been standing up and stretching out their arms to try for a free shirt were somewhat peeved that I, not paying any attention at all, got one literally falling into my lap. I took it home and have it still.

 

[chicago]

I see what you're saying, though it's very possible the guy could have been looking at anything if it wasn't his phone and still been hit by the ball. People need to be more aware of their surroundings though, for sure.

 

[maniactickler]

Cell phone = anti social device

 

[Barbershopman]

Cell phone = anti social device

Amen to that!! Thanks for all the responses.

Barbershopman

 

[Vanillaphant]

To answer the OP’s question directly, it’s simply that you can do so much on your phone these days! I’m not sure people are ringing and texting each other much more than they were five, or maybe even ten years ago. The guy from the story you mentioned was probably posting a Facebook update: “About to get hit by baseball. Hello Concussion! lol”.

I do think it’s a genuinely disturbing trend, though - this obsessive relationship that many people have with their phone…

A couple of weeks ago I was walking down the street and I saw four teenagers (I guess they were about 14) approaching, walking abreast, all with their heads down, fucking about with their phones. I was kinda relieved when I heard a couple of them mumbling to each other (in that endearing way that teenagers do lol). If they’d all been silent, I think I would have found it genuinely disturbing! At any rate, it was a striking image. And not a good one, either.

 

[chicago]

lol Probably playing Pokemon Go

 

[Vanillaphant]

Ah shit, yeah lol. I'd only heard about that a few days ago...

But even so, if I were an amateur photographer, I would have been reaching for my camera (/camera phone lol) at that moment! It just seemed like quite a poignant image. 🙂

 

[rdhd]

Those with a bluetooth are the worst. You be walking along, someone comes up beside you and starts talking. And you think they're talking to you - but no, to whoever is one the other end. Think of the scenarios with that - an angry conversation....and how does it end up? Hell, how did we live without them years ago? Meself, I don't have one, got a land line (you know what that is?).

 

[BBGuy5240]

lol Probably playing Pokemon Go

Guilty

 

[Bugman]

I see so many people who not only have their face buried in the phone, they have those ear buds(?) stuffed in their head, and are oblivious to what's going on around them. Always wondered, are they afraid someone might talk to them? I'm asking a real question, not trying to be a jerk.

 

[rdhd]

I've experienced things at work, where people are yakking on their blue tooth.....and you think they are talking to you, so you respond. Then they look at you like you're the idiot. And, when the two get into an argument, and you don't know that it isn't at you, but.......

 

[The Internet]

I went to see Paul McCartney two years ago. I was right up front. Up FRONT. In front of a Beatle.

Everyone has got their cellphones up and out.......ok, fair enough......but number one: they're not watching the show, they're watching their camerawork. And worse......they're taking selfies, posing together, talking "c'mon, get into the shot, Jenny!", all that stuff, while McCartney is singing "Blackbird" solo acoustic. While he's talking to the crowd. While he's playing "Yesterday". While he's talking about John Lennon. You know, maybe you want to stop taking the selfies and watch the show! Even better, maybe you just want to be quiet! This is a concert?

Then there was the couple next to me who were looking at their phone, reading the setlist (he plays the same set every night). So right before McCartney would launch into a song? They'd spoil the surprise by yelling out what the next song was going to be. "It's going to be 'Jet"!" "The next song is 'Junior's Farm'!" I mean, is is just me or is that totally obnoxious? (don't answer, I know it's obnoxious!) Finally I told them to cool it and they were all pouty about it, like I was being mean and spoiling all their fun.

My buddy is a bouncer, I asked him what it's like these days, he says...."it's just people on phones! They come and they look at their phones all night." lol.



something that made me laugh as i was walking.....

 

[duderino84]

lol Probably playing Pokemon Go

You know when you're reading reports of people being led across highways by the app and getting hit by cars that A: no good can come of it and B: there's dangerous levels of stupid out in the world.

I went to see Paul McCartney two years ago. I was right up front. Up FRONT. In front of a Beatle.

Everyone has got their cellphones up and out.......ok, fair enough......but number one: they're not watching the show, they're watching their camerawork. And worse......they're taking selfies, posing together, talking "c'mon, get into the shot, Jenny!", all that stuff, while McCartney is singing "Blackbird" solo acoustic. While he's talking to the crowd. While he's playing "Yesterday". While he's talking about John Lennon. You know, maybe you want to stop taking the selfies and watch the show! Even better, maybe you just want to be quiet! This is a concert?

Then there was the couple next to me who were looking at their phone, reading the setlist (he plays the same set every night). So right before McCartney would launch into a song? They'd spoil the surprise by yelling out what the next song was going to be. "It's going to be 'Jet"!" "The next song is 'Junior's Farm'!" Finally I told them to cool it and they were all huffy about it.

My buddy is a bouncer, I asked him what it's like these days, he says...."it's just people on phones! They come and they look at their phones all night." lol.


View attachment 504635
something that made me laugh as i was walking.....

Well man....kinda goes back to the thread similarly about social skills (even tho that thread was directed at our fellow fetishists). People more than ever are looking for conversation, but instead of having an actual topic, it's all going up on the facebook, youtube, wherever. In a way, over the years, people have sort of reduced themselves to elementary levels of communication, where it's laughing at memes or viral videos or talking shit about this person or that person.

When I was still gigging with a band up until about a few weeks ago, I had a few conversations with the photographer that would bum a ride off me and the drummer when we would head into the city. A lot of conversations turned to the logic of how bands/acts get "known", and in this day and age, it really doesn't mean shit anymore if you have recordings, because you don't need an analogue studio anymore when you have all sorts of home recording options. Instead, it becomes about what's linked with the facebook, for instance; how many people like your page, how you can demonstrate to a promoter that you aren't going to waste stage time (where they're focused on making money to cover the rent of the room etc) because every gig you do now, you have to make an event page, and take pictures, and show that people came to the event, etc. The phones have worked so well that they've pushed us forward in several areas, but have managed to also drag us down significantly in others. Now it's like it's about playing shows, but at the same time....the material itself doesn't seem to matter once you have people through the door.

 

[chicago]

Lol I think there are folks that can play Pokemon go without getting killed. So maybe it'd a nice little test of Darwinism lol

 

[duderino84]

I think the program was patched because I haven't heard much more on it. Nintendo must've returned to their normal program gimping schedule. Lol patching in real video games fixes graphics. Patches on phone games tracking your location is fixing people. Ah, how refreshing, the implications put on place.

 

[shippyshippy]

***OLD PEOPLE ALERT***

 

[The Internet]

***OLD PEOPLE ALERT***

I'm in between two baby booms, Shippy, I'm old or young to everybody! I get called "sir" and "kid" every day.

 

[CapturedDoll]

Lol I think there are folks that can play Pokemon go without getting killed. So maybe it'd a nice little test of Darwinism lol

I've had the same thought.

I am sure it's inevitable for the computers and cell phones eventual downfall. Whether its because a future Generation thinks its uncool or that technology makes these options obsolete. Maybe eyeball transplants will be the next wave for the "ultimate" in science, technology, and "beauty" fushion. "cue Twilight Zone theme song*

 

[arachnid95]

I've had the same thought.

I am sure it's inevitable for the computers and cell phones eventual downfall. Whether its because a future Generation thinks its uncool or that technology makes these options obsolete. Maybe eyeball transplants will be the next wave for the "ultimate" in science, technology, and "beauty" fushion. "cue Twilight Zone theme song*

Eyeball implants would be fricking awesome, don't deny it! XD

 

[Mrcool]

I went to a baseball game 20 years ago I did not enjoy it and phone were not as rapid back then, But I hate phones at movies

 

[CapturedDoll]

Eyeball implants would be fricking awesome, don't deny it! XD

It would be...but what if something went wrong? If the page your on freezes? And what if its an awful picture u never wanted 2 see in the first place?

I wonder if we would have to go to sleep to restart our eyeballs?

 

[Mitchell]

This isn't about a baseball game, but it is about people and cell phones, so it should be on topic.

One thing that really annoys me about people and cell phones, and something I try to never do.

I live in NYC, as most who know me are aware..

It really "grinds my gears" so to speak, when people walk down the street, either in the neighborhood where I live, in Manhattan, wherever, and are texting and looking at their phones, and not watching where they are walking.

Many times I just turn my phone off if I'm walking in the street from place to place, and turn it on when I get to a place I can look at it without being in someone's way.

I can't state how many times, I've nearly had someone.. run into me, because they were walking in the street, looking at their phone, texting, etc, and not watching where they are walking.

I try to never do that, not only because of the danger of banging into someone, but also because as most know, those who live in large cities, like NYC, should be aware of their surroundings for security reasons, (Pickpockets, muggers, assaults, etc). Nothing that anyone is going to say to me on that phone at that moment, is as important as my physical safety.


Sorry for the long post, but as it is on topic, it should be okay.