I drove to the gym on a beautiful day, the 31st of October, All Hallow's Eve. I got there early, sitting in my red monster outside waiting for the side door of the YMCA to be propped open so the illegal activity could begin. I messed around on my phone waiting until the time to start came, and then it came. As the sun set, the games began, on the last day of the month, on the last day of the old time.
Setting foot inside of the gym, I noticed it was unusually bare of the regular players. And I had thought Halloween was for little kids. The games began and ended. At the end of what made a game, the players walked underneath the net, following protocol. I watch as we all walk like zombies for our cell phones to check our addicting texting habits and whatever else comes our way. I had never thought I would be one of the mindless mob who move through life staring at a 3 inch screen. I have become one, an undead walking among my fellow undead. The lights of those who aren't infected by the disease are growing dimmer and fewer. What has become of us, the sad people who stumble through life following whatever trend is new, whatever style is next, whatever drug is pleasurable? Why can't we see how enslaved we are? Could we make it through a week without a text? Are you aware of what you have become? The facts are sobering when seen for what they are.
I agree. and disagree. at the same time.
ReplyDeleteis that a pic of your phone? i have a phone similar to it. anyway.
ReplyDeleteand i actually did challenge myself a few months ago to go a week without text and facebook. and...it wasn't that hard. i don't really text that much...usually when someone texts me first. anyway. what can we conclude from this?? that you, peter vanderhorst, have a texting problem, and i, marion boyd, do not. :) i hope you join the rest of us in the world of the technologically living. the grass is greener here. :)
This is a really good piece of writing. True. Profound.
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of an experience I once had in Wal-Mart. It was late in the evening, with lots of people who had just gotten off work rushing through the store, minds set on getting what they needed and getting out quickly. I was in a good mood, so, as people passed me by, I would smile. But no one ever returned my smile. Everyone was either talking on the phone, texting, or listening to their I-Pod. When I got in line at the register, I smiled at the cashier and asked how he was doing. No answer. He didn't look up at all. Even he had ear buds in his ears and didn't hear a word I said.
That was a few months ago, when I thought that I, too, would become a part of the "mindless mob." But it's beginning to happen. I used to say I would never be someone who is constantly checking her phone. I was never going to text while someone was talking to me, while driving, or when with a group of people. But I have done all of those things. So now I am trying to avoid getting to the point where these things are habitual.
Why is it that we do the very things we said we would never do?