Cell Phones aren't Actually Evil

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Seems like every new technology brings with it the angst of the older generations claiming that it will devalue human interaction. While this claim isn't unfounded, its not as true as most seem to claim it is- atleast it isn't in my personal experience. I've been to 3 schools before I came to Lewis, so I have a wide array of people for my little "sample group" for this argument. The earliest I can remember cellphones actually becoming a "thing" was during middle school (6th-8th grade). During this time the article pretty much hit the nail on the head as most students were using their phones to distract themselves during class. Middle school classes are boring and its hard to really care about grades at that point, atleast that was the consensus for my school.

     But beyond class, the main form of talking was... well... talking. Lunch time was always a loud time where every table was trying to out-volume the neighboring table's conversations. This is even more apparent during the bus rides and passing periods, everyone was talking with each other. You were "that kid" if you were just alone on your phone.

     Then came highschool, where things changed. I went to a private highschool so it was pretty small compared to most others (my graduating class had 57 people), so public highschool students may have behaved differently. Regardless, at my school cellphone use became very specialized. When people were around, nearly everybody was talking. There was quite a few times I remember a person in the group focusing on their phone, but it wasn't a multi-task as the post describes. These people looked at their phones for a short time (texting or something) then focus back on the conversation. The students at my highschool used their phones the most when we were alone during free period. The biggest impact that phones had at my highschool was actually due to music; people would sit in groups all listening to their own music and studying or reading, ignoring each other.

     However, wanting a focused environment for studying is hardly blame-worthy. This is not to say that phones have no effect on conversations, I have a few friends who glance at their phones atleast once a minute. One friend in particular will text while she's hanging out with me, and that annoys me to no end. The way I see it, if you're taking the time to go and meet up with someone- they should have priority with your attention. If you don't want to be with someone then why make the effort of hanging with them? A simple "Im busy, txt ya later" will be enough for normal people to understand "ohh, s/he is busy".

     A huge problem that cellphones have caused is concert and performance quality. Every concert you go to there will be a bunch of people trying to get a photo or video of the event in a dark area with scattered, intermident, and bright light sources. Unless you have an actual camera, you're not going to get a great quality photo or video. I understand wanting to remember a great concert or performance, I myself take some pictures every time I go to a concert, but when you're spending the majority of your time with your cellphone in the air- I think some line has been crossed. Not only is it distracting for the people behind you, but quite a few bands have openly said they hate having phones being shoved in their face during performances. A picture of the band at their merch booth will always be a better quality picture, plus most band members are nice enough to take pictures with you!

     Overall, I think the article over-dramatizes the effect of cellphones on people. Its hard to talk face-to-face when you live 40 or so minutes away from someone or if they're in another state. Texting on the go makes a boring walk with strangers more comforting because you feel like you're there with a friend. From what I've seen, talking will always trump texting.