I often wonder about technology and society. I wonder what effects social networking, gaming, texting, and so on, will have on us culturally and biologically. Already it’s known that our brains are developing new pathways to accommodate these activities. In particular, lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the bourgeoning world of cell phones, and even more specifically, texting..
First, I teach at a college, and you’d think that when teaching I’d be in constant competition with the click-click of fingers texting their way to at best – infuriating their teacher, or at worst – flunking. I generally experience neither because I have respectful, professional students who take me seriously when I set some conditions the first day of class. I also have older students who are more mature.
However, what I do notice on campus are the hefty numbers of students texting away while walking between classes. I often wonder why there aren’t more concussions, scraped knees, and bruised egos from trips, falls, and cell phones soaring through the air mid-text!
One recent day while on my way home I was stopped at the main campus entrance, waiting for the light to turn. . In front of me was a another car, and when the light changed, we didn’t – as in move. I honked and looked closer. It was abundantly clear that this particular car housed a young woman who was much more interested in her lap then she was anything around her, including her car. (Wonder what she was doing…) I honked, cars moved, and everything was hunky-dorey. Wrong. Off she went in front of me (was hoping she’d turn the other way) and her car weaved all over the road as her head remained mostly bowed. I am quite sure not in prayer. Another stop light. Red turned to green. Once again, car in front did not move. Head remained bowed. HOOOOOOOONNNNNNNKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!
(People don’t honk so much anymore, have you noticed? – Could it be they are too busy texting??)
madmuser 