Unplug and Experience the World

Could you live without your cell phone? Could you live with just a cell phone and not a smartphone?

Cell phones are a great asset to navigating our environment surrounding us. They can also be an extremely helpful tool towards communicating with others. They allow us to connect with people we don’t live close to and find people who share the same interests. We have the ability to find the answer to anything at the tip of our fingers. Although what happens when our cell phones start pose as more of a harm than a helpful mechanism. If the true main reason for our cell phones is to connect with people we do not have ability to physically talk to in person then then a smartphone with a flip pad to text and call should surely be good enough, right? Unfortunately this is not the case for many of my peers.

One thing I have noticed when walking around the campus, going to class or eating in the hawk: people are using their phones as a way to check out of society. It’s one thing to have earbuds in when you are walking to class and not actively walking with anyone else. Although, I believe it can become a safety issue when I see others staring down at their phone when crossing the street.

Another thing I have observed is that often once people make it to their classroom they remain on their phone until the teacher decides to start the class. It seems as though a few years ago teachers would need to quiet the class because students would be talking to each other. I transferred to SOU at the beginning of the fall term of this year. At the college I was at prior to joining SOU, I can recall it was not always completely silent in the room before the class started. There would be some people conversing with each other. Not to say that this happened in all of my in person classes or that it doesn’t happen at all here. I have noticed that this can also depend on the type of class and varied ages of students. Students often use their phone as a safe place to hide their insecurity of reaching out to others. This causes a more isolating experience.

When in Stevenson Union for lunch, I’ve seen groups of my peers sitting together and interacting amongst one another. Although more often than not, when I go to The Hawk, usually in the evenings, it’s difficult to turn a corner without seeing someone caring more about what is on their screen or engrossed in whatever is playing in their headphones. Sometimes these people are sitting by themself and may appear to be enjoying their own company. Although I find it interesting when others are sitting with people and everyone is glued to their phone.

Cell phones and technology in general can be a great resource, but they seem to be changing our society. Our society is moving from engaging with others more through screens than physically.