One of my biggest pet peeves is when people always have their noses in their phone. I admit, I have been that person from time to time, but I, myself find it extremely disrespectful when you can't put the damn thing down at mealtimes.
According to studies done by numerous cellular companies, the average person spends 90 minutes a day on their phone. Yah sure that may not sound like a lot, but all of that adds up to 23 days a year and, eventually, 3.9 years of his or her life. Imagine how much time that is. IMAGINE HOW MUCH YOU'RE MISSING OUT ON!!!! In 90 minutes, you can roast a 16lb. turkey, take up origami, write and perform a one-man-show, or take an amazing nap. In 23 days, you can go on an extended vacation, learn how to play golf, quit smoking, or lose weight. In 3.9 years you can become fluent in a language, find and marry your significant other, or nearly earn a college degree.
One of my friends said something very wise: "Why do y'all have your phones out during concerts when you could just live in the moment?" I ignored it at the time because I thought I would want to relive every song I heard that night, but I didn't. I wish I had just put the phone away and enjoyed it while it was live in front of me. Ever since then, I've noticed people are ALWAYS on their phone. They can't even put it down to have a conversation with their peers or eat a meal with their families. You see people texting underneath desks during class and mindlessly wandering around campus on their phones not paying attention to where they're walking.
What's wrong with living in the moment? A video or photo can be deleted immediately, but not a memory. Well, unless you have short-term memory loss, experience amnesia or suddenly become senile. The best part of a memory, you can access it anytime, anywhere whereas a photo has to be viewed on a phone or laptop, etc. A photo could usually suffice. You can take your phone out, snap a shot, then place it back in your bag in 10 seconds max. No need to record the whole concert.
The saddest thing is cell phones have become highly addictive. Some people feel unhappiness or stress when they have misplaced their phone or when it has died. Phones have become so important in our lives that we feel like we can't live without them. Our parents and all the parents before them grew up without cell phones and they turned out alright! Phones were created as tools for communication with one another. Now, they are used as a lifeline and provide a huge source of entertainment. From all the apps to music you can access, why would you need the company of actual human beings?
So, my dear readers, put the phone down. Think of all the things you could be missing by staring at a 4 inch screen for 1.5 hours a day. Think of all the lovely memories you could be making rather than texting your neighbor who is the room over. Life happens outside your comfort phone so put it away and see all you accomplish for a couple hours.
