Smart Phone obsession

Nephilim Wolf · 22-06-2018 06:19PM #1

I'm very surprised there is no similar thread. Anyway, what annoys me no end is most people's complete and unhealthy obsession with their Smartphones. In the work place it is damn annoying, but thankfully I rarely see anybody using their phones, expect at break times. On public transport like the bus or the Luas it is especially obvious, but much more so on the Luas. My phone is quite oldschool, and I have no intention of upgrading anytime soon. I can get the internet on my phone, but I'd rather not as I feel too hemmed and boxed in, and I would much prefer to be on my desktop PC instead.

Anytime I'm on the Luas I always make sure to have a small book or a magazine to read which might seem somewhat blasphemous and rebellious to society. I actually got a few odd looks when I had one of my books with me on the Jury service. It's also very rude and annoying to see phones on the table, because to me that is a form of body language, or another way of saying what is on the phone is more important than you. I only use my phone as a means to an end for just making calls/receiving calls, texting and an odd bit of photography, but even my camera although it's about ten years old, is still almost higher megapixel/resolution than even the latest smart phone. Maybe I'm just too oldschool, as I grew up in the 80's. So what is your opinion on this subject?

Fann Linn · 22-06-2018 06:21PM

Nephilim Wolf wrote: »

I'm very surprised there is no similar thread. Anyway, what annoys me no end is most people's complete and unhealthy obsession with their Smartphones. In the work place it is damn annoying, but thankfully I rarely see anybody using their phones, expect at break times. On public transport like the bus or the Luas it is especially obvious, but much more so on the Luas. My phone is quite oldschool, and I have no intention of upgrading anytime soon. I can get the internet on my phone, but I'd rather not as I feel too hemmed and boxed in, and I would much prefer to be on my desktop PC instead.

Anytime I'm on the Luas I always make sure to have a small book or a magazine to read which might seem somewhat blasphemous and rebellious to society. I actually got a few odd looks when I had one of my books with me on the Jury service. It's also very rude and annoying to see phones on the table, because to me that is a form of body language, or another way of saying what is on the phone is more important than you. I only use my phone as a means to an end for just making calls/receiving calls, texting and an odd bit of photography, but even my camera although it's about ten years old, is still almost higher megapixel/resolution than even the latest smart phone. Maybe I'm just too oldschool, as I grew up in the 80's. So what is your opinion on this subject?

Live and let live.

22-06-2018 06:22PM

You're supposed to listen to the evidence when you serve on a jury, not read a book!

Phones are a source of entertainment and information and the perfect distraction during a commute on public transport.

Lots of people have smartphones and still read books, you don't have to pick a side.

theteal · 22-06-2018 06:27PM

You could have had that book on your phone and saved yourself a bit of hassle.

_Dara_ · 22-06-2018 06:30PM

I read an article recently about teachers letting their little charges vent about how much they hate their parents being on their phones to the whole time. Seriously, little kids expressing hate for the phones and the fact that their parents spend hours gawping at their screens. That did give me pause. I’ll try and find the article.

Outlaw Pete · 22-06-2018 06:31PM

You say you have a magazine or book on the Luas but sure most people are just reading something too. Like I read the Daily Mail Wall Street Journal app when I'm commuting. Saves me money too as it means not having to buy a copy the Daily Mail Wall Street Journal everyday.

artanevilla · 22-06-2018 06:34PM

Reading a book or a magazine on public transport is blaphemous and rebellious to society?

Are you on hash lad?

It's extremely common, get your nose out of the books and you'll notice it.

mr_edge_to_you · 22-06-2018 06:36PM

True that

Sent from my iPhone.

McCrack · 22-06-2018 06:37PM

I get what youre saying

A lot of it is just bad manners particularly in company in a restaurant etc

People can be self absorbed in their phones oblivIous to whats going on around them

And of course dopes using their phones while driving

Chaos Tourist · 22-06-2018 06:42PM

If you think smart phones are bad on public transport you probably aren't a fan of gaming handhelds either (Vita, Switch, PSP) They're lower down on the entertainment hierarchy. Reading other forums I see stories of folk really conscious of using them in public because it's not seen as a real thing for adults.

Ipso · 22-06-2018 06:42PM

If the phone is just a substitute of medium for a different content, then it's not too bad. But if it's just for accessing digital herpes, then it's a problem.

Leilak · 22-06-2018 06:45PM

Child of the 80s here too - observations of my Daughters (age 20) generation , nobody talking just staring into their phones manically typing, I say whatcha doin she says I'm texting her, pointing to mate beside her......oh look I'm too old to care (48) I just laugh at it all, Im the only sane one left!!

Nephilim Wolf · 22-06-2018 06:47PM

Candie wrote: »

You're supposed to listen to the evidence when you serve on a jury, not read a book!

Phones are a source of entertainment and information and the perfect distraction during a commute on public transport.

Lots of people have smartphones and still read books, you don't have to pick a side.

What I meant to say is that I was reading a book during the waiting times in the main lobby, or at break times if nobody else was talking to me.

Nephilim Wolf · 22-06-2018 06:49PM

_Dara_ wrote: »

I read an article recently about teachers letting their little charges vent about how much they hate their parents being on their phones to the whole time. Seriously, little kids expressing hate for the phones and the fact that their parents spend hours gawping at their screens. That did give me pause. I’ll try and find the article.

Those kids, and fair play to them are talking my language. And yes I would love to read that article.

22-06-2018 06:50PM

Nephilim Wolf wrote: »

What I meant to say is that I was reading a book during the waiting times in the main lobby, or at break times if nobody else was talking to me.

I know that, it was a little joke.

I agree that using smartphones for any length of time while in company is bad manners, but commutes are a perfect time to catch up on news etc. so it's very understandable that people use them at times like that.

I prefer my Kindle myself, but either way people are still reading.

_Dara_ · 22-06-2018 06:51PM

I love smartphones. They have so many useful features and having one has enhanced my life greatly. But they have a few significant downsides.

I agree that staring at your phone on public transport is not a big deal. People have always ignored each other in that situation. It’s more when, for example, you see a group of friends in a pub or restaurant ignoring each other the WHOLE time and occasionally showing each other things on their phones. I witness this a lot and that’s their choice obviously but it dismays me a bit.

Or the whole ‘getting the selfie right’ dance. Some of my friends are desperate for this; take selfie, check it, take selfie, check it etc. etc. I want to say “We look shite in all of them!”.

Selfies are pretty much always unflattering.

And the whole conversation-killing ‘Let’s look that up’ thing. My sister always thinks she’s right, always, and if there is some casual dispute or uncertainty in conversation, you can actually visually see her disengage from conversation. Next thing the phone is out and she’s looking it up. If she wrong, nothing is said. If she’s right, she’ll cut into conversation with the correction even if the conversation has moved on or if it just wasn’t that big a deal or very interesting. BEING RIGHT IS MORE IMPORTANT.

Pre-smartphone, that conversation would have coasted right on.

Nephilim Wolf · 22-06-2018 06:54PM

artanevilla wrote: »

Reading a book or a magazine on public transport is blaphemous and rebellious to society?

Are you on hash lad?

It's extremely common, get your nose out of the books and you'll notice it.

No I

_Dara_ wrote: »

I read an article recently about teachers letting their little charges vent about how much they hate their parents being on their phones to the whole time. Seriously, little kids expressing hate for the phones and the fact that their parents spend hours gawping at their screens. That did give me pause. I’ll try and find the article.

artanevilla wrote: »

Reading a book or a magazine on public transport is blaphemous and rebellious to society?

Are you on hash lad?

It's extremely common, get your nose out of the books and you'll notice it.

You can't beat a good book though.8-)
Those kids, and fair play to them are talking my language.

chakotha · 22-06-2018 06:54PM

Internetting on a 2" x 2" screen would do the boxed in feeling alright :-D

The phone on the table is a gas observation. True too. Guilty of it myself though not intended. And picking it up to google facts/news related to the conversation.

em_cat · 22-06-2018 06:55PM

No but you do if your walking towards me on a footpath. Nothing more irritating than having to say look up as they’re about to walk into me.

I work on my phone but still respect people enough to acknowledge them vs something on face book, insta or twatter.

Franz Von Peppercorn · 22-06-2018 06:55PM

Nephilim Wolf wrote: »

What I meant to say is that I was reading a book during the waiting times in the main lobby, or at break times if nobody else was talking to me.

people read books and newspapers on their phones. That’s probably what half or more what people are doing.

Samuel T. Cogley · 22-06-2018 06:57PM

Who is more antisocial; someone with a phone reading a news paper or some twat with a broadsheet?

Ipso · 22-06-2018 06:58PM

Someone reading broadsheet on their phone.

Franz Von Peppercorn · 22-06-2018 06:58PM

_Dara_ wrote: »

I love smartphones. They have so many useful features and having one has enhanced my life greatly. But they have a few significant downsides.

I agree that staring at your phone on public transport is not a big deal. People have always ignored each other in that situation. It’s more when, for example, you see a group of friends in a pub or restaurant ignoring each other the WHOLE time and occasionally showing each other things on their phones. I witness this a lot and that’s their choice obviously but it dismays me a bit.

Or the whole ‘getting the selfie right’ dance. Some of my friends are desperate for this; take selfie, check it, take selfie, check it etc. etc. I want to say “We look shite in all of them!”. Selfies are pretty much always unflattering.

And the whole conversation-killing ‘Let’s look that up’ thing. My sister always thinks she’s right, always, and if there is some casual dispute or uncertainty in conversation, you can actually visually see her disengage from conversation. Next thing the phone is out and she’s looking it up. If she wrong, nothing is said. If she’s right, she’ll cut into conversation with the correction even if the conversation has moved on or if it just wasn’t that big a deal or very interesting. BEING RIGHT IS MORE IMPORTANT. Pre-smartphone, that conversation would have coasted right on.

Yes I agree in company it’s bad, but actually I dont see it that often. It’s a fantasy that pubs are eerily quiet because, although crowded, everybody is on their phone abd not taking to each other. Occasionally people do consult their phones in conversation - probably to score a point (like your sister) or get the results of a game etc.

Graces7 · 22-06-2018 07:00PM

I have no smartphone. Initially cost but then the points others make.
I have 2 cellphones; bought the 2nd when I was stuck out here with no power so I could always have one charged with the kindness of my neighbour the ferry man. One cost E10, the other, a little more sophisticated E15, tesco mobile ie it has a camera.

Seeing folk walking along the street lost in a world of smartphone. Oblivious to their surroundings.. And to other folk.

Used to be like that at Craft Fairs, in slow periods. Heads down.. sometimes had to alert other sellers they had customers..

Rubberlegs · 22-06-2018 07:07PM

Another oldschooler here who grew up in the 80s. Sometimes I feel I am such a dinosaur but I have never seen the appeal of Facebook, Snapchat etc, I tried very hard but could never get into it. i don't even take photos on my phone, just not arsed. My two eldest are glued to their phones a lot of the time, I accept it is all they know and that is fair enough and I understand that but I kind of feel sorry about it. I understand it less in my generation though. I would be quite content with a phone that just made/received calls and texts. But as another poster said, live and let live, it is the norm these days.

_Dara_ · 22-06-2018 07:07PM

Franz Von Peppercorn wrote: »

Yes I agree in company it’s bad, but actually I dont see it that often. It’s a fantasy that pubs are eerily quiet because, although crowded, everybody is on their phone abd not taking to each other. Occasionally people do consult their phones in conversation - probably to score a point (like your sister) or get the results of a game etc.

I unfortunately do see tables of friends ignoring each other but I have to say, it’s very much slanted towards teens and twenty-somethings. That makes me sad though. My friends and I might have talked some shite on nights out in our late teens and early twenties but it was fun shite!

It’s such a carefree time. Don’t waste it gawping at a screen.

22-06-2018 07:10PM

Franz Von Peppercorn wrote: »

Yes I agree in company it’s bad, but actually I dont see it that often. It’s a fantasy that pubs are eerily quiet because, although crowded, everybody is on their phone abd not taking to each other. Occasionally people do consult their phones in conversation - probably to score a point (like your sister) or get the results of a game etc.

I think there's even a big difference between the average 30 year olds phone use in social situations and the average 20 year old.

One thing I really hate is people taking my photo without asking or even just warning me, as well as the taking twenty minutes to take a group photo that everyone is happy with, as mentioned before.

It's usually not such a special event that it absolutely has to be memorialized anyway.

Nephilim Wolf · 22-06-2018 07:17PM

McCrack wrote: »

I get what youre saying

A lot of it is just bad manners particularly in company in a restaurant etc

People can be self absorbed in their phones oblivIous to whats going on around them

And of course dopes using their phones while driving

I agree. I think smartphones may make people have less empathy towards fellow travelers/people. Especially if they are too self-absorbed in whatever they are looking at. For example, if I was waiting at either a luas/bus stop and some scumbag robbed something from a person, I would run after them and get the item back by extreme force.

Franz Von Peppercorn · 22-06-2018 07:20PM

Nephilim Wolf wrote: »

I agree. I think smartphones may make people have less empathy towards fellow travelers/people. Especially if they are too self-absorbed in whatever they are looking at. For example, if I was waiting at either a luas/bus stop and some scumbag robbed something from a person, I would run after them and get the item back by extreme force.

That’s internet talk.

One thing I do when commuting is read this site. Now, is that good or bad. Remember you read and post here too.

I’m also on my phone here as the WC games a bit boring and the missus is in another room.

I never use it in company though.

Chaos Tourist · 22-06-2018 07:29PM

Leilak wrote: »

Child of the 80s here too - observations of my Daughters (age 20) generation , nobody talking just staring into their phones manically typing, I say whatcha doin she says I'm texting her, pointing to mate beside her......oh look I'm too old to care (48) I just laugh at it all, Im the only sane one left!!

How did that not suck? I watched reeling in the years --lots of appalling looking wool jumpers, moving statues etc. No mobiles, very restricted selection of TV viewing, no internet, low tech computer games etc. Black and white newspapers. Be honest -- ye were bored out of your heads half the time.

Indricotherium · 22-06-2018 07:31PM

Nephilim Wolf wrote: »

I'm very surprised there is no similar thread. Anyway, what annoys me no end is most people's complete and unhealthy obsession with their Smartphones. In the work place it is damn annoying, but thankfully I rarely see anybody using their phones, expect at break times. On public transport like the bus or the Luas it is especially obvious, but much more so on the Luas. My phone is quite oldschool, and I have no intention of upgrading anytime soon. I can get the internet on my phone, but I'd rather not as I feel too hemmed and boxed in, and I would much prefer to be on my desktop PC instead.

Anytime I'm on the Luas I always make sure to have a small book or a magazine to read which might seem somewhat blasphemous and rebellious to society. I actually got a few odd looks when I had one of my books with me on the Jury service. It's also very rude and annoying to see phones on the table, because to me that is a form of body language, or another way of saying what is on the phone is more important than you. I only use my phone as a means to an end for just making calls/receiving calls, texting and an odd bit of photography, but even my camera although it's about ten years old, is still almost higher megapixel/resolution than even the latest smart phone. Maybe I'm just too oldschool, as I grew up in the 80's. So what is your opinion on this subject?

When I read this I agreed completely with what u are saying. I was so absorbed I nearly missed my turn off the motorway.

Smart Phone obsession

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