My biggest fear when thinking of getting a smart phone is becoming like everyone else with one... completely dependent on it. I can't tell you how frustrated I've been since being home. It's as though these silly phones are running the world now. Ok, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but I really used to enjoy having one on one conversations with people that didn't include needing the internet for something.
As shocking as it may be, I just drove across the country and not once did I need google maps! WHAT?! I know! Am I some sort of genius?? Well yes, but I also know how to read a map. I know which direction is north, south, east, and west.
The youth kids have been pretty good about being engaged during youth group and church, but on a number of occasions when we've done stuff outside of church, just hanging out and such, they're on their phones. It's as though something life changing is happening, but in reality 3 people have posted on facebook and it wasn't that exciting. Face to face verbal communication is way lacking. I'm so sad watching these smart phones become people's lifelines. Yes, if I lost my phone I'd be lost without a lot of the numbers, but it would definitely be possible to get them back.
I understand that this is the age we're living in now and as technology moves forward things will change even more. Please understand that I'm not belittling you if you can't live without your phone... I do however, want to challenge you to try to live without it for a full day. Don't even carry with you in case of emergency. Someone will figure out a way to get ahold of you whether you have a phone or not. Also, you're surrounded by people who all have phones too, so you'll be able to call someone if you have to.
I agree that it's fun to be able to google something when you're having a debate or look up the closest Chipotle when everyone is hungry, but I also believe that it's not critical. I love life being made easier, I guess I just don't like the way it's getting easier.
Looking back at my year in Uganda... I didn't have a smart phone. For most of the year I carried an old school Nokia that only calls and texts. One of the only games on the phone was Snake. It didn't have a full keyboard for texting, just the normal buttons on a wall phone. Somehow during that year I survived. I was content with what I had. Smart phones are available in Kampala and you can use the internet on them. Many people are catching on and I see plenty of posts on facebook from people's mobile devices. This is just the way the world is going. But if I didn't know where I was going, I called someone to ask, or I stopped to ask someone. There wasn't one email throughout the year that couldn't wait until I got home to see. No one's post on facebook changed the world in the hours I was away from a computer. I liked it. Sure, after a few days of the internet being down or very unreliable I would start to become annoyed. I didn't like being cut off from the world, since the internet was my main source of, not only communication with you all, but world news as well.
I've always been one of those people able to ignore my phone when it's ringing or when I get a text. If I'm meeting with someone and even if I'm just hanging out, I ignore my phone because I think it's rude to be on the phone when you're with other people... or at the dinner table. I don't like watching people be slaves to their phone or feel obligated to respond asap.
So as I step down off of my soapbox, I'm still contemplating joining the ranks of those of you who carry your big 'ol smart phones around. I am seriously struggling with this choice and keeping the will-power to ignore the internet.
On a completely different note, I was laying in the sun today, reading my book and trying to get my tan on, but I kept finding myself distracted. The book I'm reading is called A Long Way Gone and I'm sure I'll write about it soon, but it's a true story of a child soldier in Sierra Leon in the '90's. It's very captivating and hard to put down, but today my mind wandered a lot. I couldn't help but long to be in church. I've been so disappointed all day that it's only Wednesday. I can't wait for Sunday, to gather as the body of Christ and to worship Him together. I really like the church I went to on Sunday, but I'm also convinced that it doesn't matter right now... I just want to be in church. It's an awesome feeling and I've enjoyed spending this day with Him, so closely. It's been a long time since I've been so excited to be in church though. Praise the Lord for such a desire. Praying for it to continue as I seek the Lord on a job, whether in a church or not, and on future plans.
1 comment:
I am right there with you a lllll the way on the smart phone issue. I still have not given in though I've been told to many times. I just don't like how dependent everyone is on them, and how even when you're out at a meal with people, they are sitting there interacting with their phones instead of the human beings right in front of them.
I support you friend. Love ya!
Post a Comment