What is it with people and cell phones

[Cosmo_ac]

Where I am these days (I swear to God I'm finally going to post about that someday soon!), Cell phones are all over the place. Little kids seem to have cell phones and even the grannies and grandpa's have cell phones. To be honest, they are a mixed blessing. On one hand, you can do anything with these things. Anything from a normal cell call, to a business conference with video, to bidding on something online, to ordering somebody to drop food off at your grandma's house, paying your bills, getting a date, or sending an image you think is cool to your friends, and don't even get me started on the games.

Cell phones are changing the world. They are putting people in contact with each other, and allowing a person to get instant access to information to a level that has never existed before. One of the arguments I see is that they make people anti-social. I'm in a particular situation where I'm old enough to agree and disagree with that statement. I was around when you could still take a cell phone and beat somebody to death with them, because they were about as big and heavy as a cement brick, but I'm young enough that cell phones still play an important and predominant role in the life of myself, and my social circle.

What cell phones are causing are a refinement of what is considered the norm of social interaction. Just like when the car replaced the horse, or TV replaced the radio, things are changing considerably. You can now have a girlfriend not only in another country, but in another continent. You are no longer trapped in having to have friends in the town you grow up in, but in another town you could never reach by foot. Does this mean that people aren't able to communicate face to face anymore? For some, they will certainly have this problem, but this will also become something of a cultural norm as time goes on. People will learn, and they will adapt. That's human nature.

 

[CapturedDoll]

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.

Wow...

I am part of Generation X. And while I would snap pics occasionally at shows and usually always meet the artist afterwards... (I have a list of people I have met, hung out with, dated, and took for nights out on the town that would make you smile...) It's to say I NEVER would have those experiences if I didn't give the artist my full attention. Ringo Starr being one of them... I'm sure people still get back there...but I'm sure the artists have become disheartened over what they see now... and have to go through to please everyone... it must be EXHAUSTING. And to top it off... to not even have your audiences attention...) I understood and understand STILL...that when you are in the presence of people who changed the world... you are humble. You are grateful. And you give them your complete attention. I dress up in my prettiest or sexiest dresses... I buy their music.. This obviously varies as per peoples opinions per each artist. But if I'm going to spend MY money.... I'm going to have a GREAT time watching their show. And...I use to go up to the road crew afterwards to ask for the set list. I am 38 years awesome... and I have Bob Dylan's set list. The one he viewed with his own eyes. THAT is far more intimate and AWESOME... then looking up the set list online and acting like the couple you described. And... I even worked as a roadie for a year so I could see what THEY went through... its hard work. And I have enough respect for the ENTIRE concert experience... to hand over my heart, eyes, and ears for an evening.

Maybe its to say that respect in any context is being lost. The internet isn't exactly giving lessons on boundaries or... different forms and levels of respect as per different interactions on the whole. Mom & Dad are too busy on the phone now themselves to show Junior their behavior has limits. Cell phone use SHOULD come with limits. It's Learned behavior. And cell phone use as per most households these days have 0 rules. This explains why children are seeing adult content when they have absolutely ZERO business seeing such things. And these are the same parents who will turn around and blame the internet or pornography in general.

My Gf of 12 years who passed away was a "Hippie". (And worked for CBS as a photographer. Later getting her Masters in Psychology. With honors.) And one time she met Todd Rundgren. She brought him fake flowers. She couldn't afford the roses she really wanted to give him. And when she gave them to him he looked at her and he said "but they're not real..." This hurt her... but she understood what he meant. And so do I. Some of you might find that a very douchey thing to say to someone. In both of our shared opinions it was not. It's a very telling statement of how the artist views their audience. It wasn't about expense... it was about genuine expression being met with genuine expression. Love meets love. Inner beauty meets inner beauty. One soul being giving art from another's pain... and love... and experiences.... is... HUGE. When an artist writes a song... and puts its out there for the entire world to hear... if anyone thinks that's easy... think again.


And if you want a REALLY in depth look at what is expected of musicians.... check out "Rock This Boat" with New Kids On The Block. I like some of their old music... but I am not a rabid fan. So...

Here it is... a cruise full of fans... spending time with their favorite band... they have a set day where they take pics with each fan. This takes all day long to accomplish. Does that matter to the fans that their is a set time for pics.... NOPE. They stop them at every turn... all weekend... it doesn't matter that need a break... or to eat... so... here again... respect is being over ridden for I WANT WHAT I WANT WHEN I WANT IT. I understand thy are paying BIG money for this cruise .. BUT... where is the line for making sure limits are respected to some degree. This is nothing new and predates cell phones... but... DAMN. The issues musicians face are 10 fold now.

 

[CapturedDoll]

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.

This drives me crazy as well. Walking, driving... having friends over and they look at their phones repeatedly. Even though u haven't seen them in ages and put away your own phone out of respect. It's frustrating to say the least.

 

[Mitchell]

I see your point, Captured, and I agree.

I have one friend.. who.. when he comes over.. I turn my phone off, and don't look at the computer at all, unless. I'm waiting for a very important e-mail like about a meeting. Similar to you, this person feels that someone being on the computer/texting/talking on the phone for long periods of time, when he is socializing with a person, is rude. Therefore, I try to respect his feelings, and I dont talk on the phone, text, or look at the computer, when he is with me.