The cameras on smartphones now rival just about any point and shoot digital camera. They take better than decent photos that are printable should you be old-school enough to actually print your photos. Since our phones are practically surgically attached to our hands, we always have them with us. We can snap a photo with our phone, instantly edit it using fairly sophisticated editing software and post it to FaceBook or Instagram in less than a minute. Most people think this is "progress."
But I wonder.
I have not been to a single event (parade, fireworks show, school program, sporting event or concert, for example) in the past year or so where a sea of phones and tablets have not been raised above heads to capture the event (either photos or video). The person holding the device sees only one screen, of course, but those behind him who are not recording the event see dozens (or even hundreds) of bright electronic screens and their view of the actual event is blocked.
When did we, as a society, become so self-centered, inconsiderate, and dare I say, rude? And when did we stop living in the moment, just enjoying being at the event, and watching it live?
My all-time favorite cartoonist, Bil Keane, captured this sentiment perfectly in his cartoon last Sunday (12/14/14).
I challenge you to put your "screens" away for part of this holiday season and just enjoy the show and the people you are with!
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