Remember those days when you would call up a friend, meet and chat for hours on end about anything and everything without either one of you touching your mobile devices? I mean, not even remembering you had a phone or be tempted by it. When we really understood and appreciated each other's time and company. Yup, those were the days.
No, really. I had the opportunity to listen to an amazing person tonight at a talk. She was no doubt an engaging speaker and really knew how to capture and keep an audience's attention. Then, she did the unthinkable.
She popped open her ipad mini cover flat on her thighs and started typing. Right there, on one of 3 speaker chairs, on center stage, in front of a crowd.
My instant thought was: Why does she have her ipad mini open on her lap? Maybe she's checking for something to refer to (yes, that was me being optimistic, as usual). Hm, doesn't seem like it. Well, if she doesn't think what she has to say deserves/demands her attention, then I naturally would believe through her actions that what she say doesn't deserve/demand my attention.
And next thing you know - and you were doing so well before you ruined your own talk - my friend sitting beside me took out her phone and started to "scroll".
Point: Lead by example. If you want people to care about what you say, your body language should match that.
Next Question: Why are we even here if you (my friend) weren't listening? It's the exact same thought process as the above.
I just don't get it - when did it become so hard to just be here in the moment. To allow yourself to get involed in the moment. To just experience and exist then and there. Have we all become slaves chained to our mobile devices? Honestly, I believe people have forgotten the real purpose of having a mobile device.
What's the purpose of a mobile device, you ask? Well,
Most people get confused about the 3rd. Tell me, how do you feel when you're out with a group of friends and they're all on their phones? A few thoughts:
So, why are we even here together? We should just all get the bill and go do what you prefer doing instead, because obviously I'm not entertaining enough for you. Because you prefer elsewhere. Because we're wasting each others' time and company.
Honestly, the next time I find myself sitting among a group of mobile phone slaves, I'm just going to get up and leave, while saying:
"Well, it was nice spending a little quality time with y'all, but seeing everyone is busy elsewhere, let's do this some other time, okay? Ta ta!"
Yup, no more. I will no longer allow that kind of nonsense in my presence. I deserve your undivided attention because I feel you deserve mine. If you have better things to do, just say so! I don't like looking at the top of your head or the back of your mobile device anyway. But, don't worry - we're still friends! Just that the next time you call me out, I may have to think twice.
If you have read up to this point - thank you for your undivided attention. I hope that if you're one of those conscious ones that you will stand up and demand respect and attention. If you're one of those unconscious ones, then I hope this message serves as a wakeup call.
No, really. I had the opportunity to listen to an amazing person tonight at a talk. She was no doubt an engaging speaker and really knew how to capture and keep an audience's attention. Then, she did the unthinkable.
She popped open her ipad mini cover flat on her thighs and started typing. Right there, on one of 3 speaker chairs, on center stage, in front of a crowd.
My instant thought was: Why does she have her ipad mini open on her lap? Maybe she's checking for something to refer to (yes, that was me being optimistic, as usual). Hm, doesn't seem like it. Well, if she doesn't think what she has to say deserves/demands her attention, then I naturally would believe through her actions that what she say doesn't deserve/demand my attention.
And next thing you know - and you were doing so well before you ruined your own talk - my friend sitting beside me took out her phone and started to "scroll".
Point: Lead by example. If you want people to care about what you say, your body language should match that.
Next Question: Why are we even here if you (my friend) weren't listening? It's the exact same thought process as the above.
I just don't get it - when did it become so hard to just be here in the moment. To allow yourself to get involed in the moment. To just experience and exist then and there. Have we all become slaves chained to our mobile devices? Honestly, I believe people have forgotten the real purpose of having a mobile device.
What's the purpose of a mobile device, you ask? Well,
- To make calls - yes, it seems that people forget it has the function to make calls.
- To function as a Personal Assistant to address immediate issues like taking down notes or checking for necessary info.
- To function as a form of entertainment.
Most people get confused about the 3rd. Tell me, how do you feel when you're out with a group of friends and they're all on their phones? A few thoughts:
- I'm boring you.
- Being here is boring.
- There are other people that you prefer being with at that moment.
- There are other things that you prefer doing at that moment.
So, why are we even here together? We should just all get the bill and go do what you prefer doing instead, because obviously I'm not entertaining enough for you. Because you prefer elsewhere. Because we're wasting each others' time and company.
Honestly, the next time I find myself sitting among a group of mobile phone slaves, I'm just going to get up and leave, while saying:
"Well, it was nice spending a little quality time with y'all, but seeing everyone is busy elsewhere, let's do this some other time, okay? Ta ta!"
Yup, no more. I will no longer allow that kind of nonsense in my presence. I deserve your undivided attention because I feel you deserve mine. If you have better things to do, just say so! I don't like looking at the top of your head or the back of your mobile device anyway. But, don't worry - we're still friends! Just that the next time you call me out, I may have to think twice.
If you have read up to this point - thank you for your undivided attention. I hope that if you're one of those conscious ones that you will stand up and demand respect and attention. If you're one of those unconscious ones, then I hope this message serves as a wakeup call.