Recently, I attended an event with hundreds of people; front row seat. I was in to it, those around me were in to it and then I looked to the side. A few front row seats down, a young woman was on her cell phone. Okay, sure, I thought, she might have received a text or email and was responding then would rejoin us enjoying the live moment. Nope, she was surfing the social networks.
I tried to refocus on the event, but my attention kept getting drawn over to the woman. For the entire length of the event, almost two hours, she stood and sat and stood and even clapped with the rest of us as if she was a part of what was happening around her. Nevertheless, at no point did she put down her phone and only glanced around on occasion. Instead, she giggled, chuckled and smiled at what was occurring on her phone. A few times, her fingers flew as she responded to a post before flipping to the next page.
However, this story becomes stranger. A month later, I once more encountered her at a similar event. We appear to run in similar social circles. Again, she pulled out her cell phone before things began and started to peruse her social contacts. As before, she went through the event connected to her phone and tepidly interested with what was happening on stage. My assumption was that she checked-in as attending so that she had the post on her page then turned to internet interacting; the cyber world seemed to carry more fascination for her than the real one.
More than likely, the young woman believes that she has an active social life. Sadly, she does not.
Being connected is one of today’s marvels. I appreciate the security of having a cell phone and knowing that my wife and daughter have them when they are out-and-about or traveling. It is great to have the ability to contact family and friends when and where it is necessary. Also, modern cell phones can give directions, find places and save the time of going from store to store in search of goods and services. It allows people to conduct business or do their jobs anywhere and everywhere. However, like anything that has value, when improperly used beyond moderation, it can become more a danger than an asset. I would suggest that being too connected is the new addiction, harmful and detrimental to the metal health of those caught in its grip.
As with any addiction, becoming too connected is a difficult habit to break. The very real risk of individuals caught up in staying connected is becoming isolated in cyber cocoons.
As Paul noted in 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NASB) “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” Use your cyber connection to enhance your life, not become your life.
I tried to refocus on the event, but my attention kept getting drawn over to the woman. For the entire length of the event, almost two hours, she stood and sat and stood and even clapped with the rest of us as if she was a part of what was happening around her. Nevertheless, at no point did she put down her phone and only glanced around on occasion. Instead, she giggled, chuckled and smiled at what was occurring on her phone. A few times, her fingers flew as she responded to a post before flipping to the next page.
However, this story becomes stranger. A month later, I once more encountered her at a similar event. We appear to run in similar social circles. Again, she pulled out her cell phone before things began and started to peruse her social contacts. As before, she went through the event connected to her phone and tepidly interested with what was happening on stage. My assumption was that she checked-in as attending so that she had the post on her page then turned to internet interacting; the cyber world seemed to carry more fascination for her than the real one.
More than likely, the young woman believes that she has an active social life. Sadly, she does not.
Being connected is one of today’s marvels. I appreciate the security of having a cell phone and knowing that my wife and daughter have them when they are out-and-about or traveling. It is great to have the ability to contact family and friends when and where it is necessary. Also, modern cell phones can give directions, find places and save the time of going from store to store in search of goods and services. It allows people to conduct business or do their jobs anywhere and everywhere. However, like anything that has value, when improperly used beyond moderation, it can become more a danger than an asset. I would suggest that being too connected is the new addiction, harmful and detrimental to the metal health of those caught in its grip.
As with any addiction, becoming too connected is a difficult habit to break. The very real risk of individuals caught up in staying connected is becoming isolated in cyber cocoons.
As Paul noted in 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NASB) “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” Use your cyber connection to enhance your life, not become your life.
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