It is amazing how much the world has changed during my lifetime. There continues and will always continue to be change—every year, every month, every day.
Hand in hand with the incredible social transformation of the past several decades are the changes and advancements in technology. It may be hard to believe, but that little ole thing called the internet has only been around for about three decades, and widely used for two. The first Blackberry “smartphone” was introduced about thirteen years ago. We’ve had iPhones for eight years, and iPads for five. And the advancements keep coming, faster and faster.
With all those changes and innovations come wonderful new possibilities and easier and more efficient ways of living and working. But not all change is good. Or at least, not all aspects of change are good. And “more efficient” doesn’t always mean “better.”
I recently read an article written by my good friend and colleague Deb Stargardt titled “Putting Face-to-Face First.” In it Deb frankly calls attention to our dependency on technology—particularly smartphones:
“My guess is that millions of us share an unhealthy compulsion to be one with our digital significant other. It’s like we’ve sprouted another appendage to keep us virtually connected to everyone; a technological umbilical cord binding each of us to the universe of everything. Our human senses of touch, sight and sound are stimulated 24/7 by this incredibly versatile device that few can imagine living without. Dare I say, we love our phones.”
Deb is right. For the millions of us who are lucky enough to be smartphone owners, most of us are probably more attached to our fancy mobile devices than we should be. We find ourselves immediately reaching for our phone the moment it dings, whether we’re in the middle of a conversation, a meal, or in bed for the night. We glance at the display countless times a day, checking for texts, emails, and other alerts. We absorb ourselves in the bright little screens every time we sit in a waiting room, stand in a line, or idle at a stoplight. We feel nervous and “naked” when we accidentally leave our phone at home, even if we’re only going on a short errand.
We can’t imagine life—or even a full day—without our smartphones. Yet for most of us, we’ve only had them for a fraction of our lives thus far. So what did we do before we had the world at our fingertips?
I don’t know about you, but I think before the smartphone, tablet, and laptop era, I noticed more.
I noticed people, their moods, their body language. I noticed the skillful barista working quickly to move the line along in the coffee shop. I noticed the stiff posture and worried expression of my stressed colleague as we talked. I noticed the man holding the umbrella for the little girl as they crossed the intersection in front of me. I noticed the smiling waitress mollifying an upset patron, crooning at a wailing baby, and refilling my water glass all in the span of thirty seconds.
Before the constant distraction of my treasured mobile devices, I was a noticer. I still am a people watcher, and consider myself to be a fairly observant and perceptive person, but I know those devices have had an impact. I find myself focused on bright little screens more and more, and less focused on people’s faces, or even just gazing into space or observing the goings-on of a crowded room the way I once did.
Deb concluded her article with this statement:
“We have the technology to be everywhere, but we also have the human capacity to be present with others. If we can exercise constraint and set a better example of attentiveness with those around us, I think it can enhance every type of experience!”
While smart technology has countless benefits and certainly increases our efficiency and ability in many areas, I agree with Deb: the key is moderation. Because nothing will ever beat face to face interaction, and no amount of technological efficiency will make up for lack of attentiveness to those around us.
I, for one, want to be a noticer again. How about you?
