Next time you're in a public place, take a look around you, and count how many people are using their phones. I can tell you now that it is probably more than half, whether you're on public transport, in a cafe or simply standing on an escalator.
I'm not saying that I am not an example of this, but it always amazes me how people can spend so much time on their phones without actually talking to anyone in particular. It seems that they rely on their phones too much.
For example, I recently visited London and travelled on the tube while I was there. Apart from the people asleep, almost everybody else was on their phones, and because of the nature of the tube, it is difficult not to see exactly what they are all doing. Of course, being underground is difficult for you to get any signal, which rules out texting or using the Internet, but there is still plenty you can use your phones for. People were absorbed in playing games, reading articles and listening to music, and I am sure that as soon as they emerged from the train station, they would start texting or calling or checking their emails.
Recently, my smartphone broke and had to be sent off to the warehouse for repair for a week or so. In the meantime, I had to use a really old, basic phone just to keep me in touch with my family and friends. All I could do on this phone was send text messages, make calls and play one game. And I loved it. I loved being free from the Internet, and I really didn't mind not having constant updates about what my friends were doing or what the latest celebrity story was. It allowed me to spend more time taking in my surroundings.
However, I knew that as soon as I got my smartphone back, I would be one of those people once again. But I made up my mind to discipline myself.
