It’s a widespread picture these days. A picture you’ve made fun of – a picture you’re probably part of yourself on a regular basis:
People are sitting in pairs or in groups, i.e. in a restaurant, and every individual is hooked to the screen of their smartphone.
Here’s the simple reason why you don’t find me doing it anymore:
„If you have your phone with you (…) and you put your phone on the table, all the research studies show that that will change what you will talk about, because the conversation will get lighter on things where you wouldn’t mind being interrupted. You won’t really talk of anything of consequence. And not only that, – you will feel less connected and less emotionally invested in the conversation.“ Sherry Turkle on GLP Radio at 00:06:20
I can think of a million good reasons to keep an eye on the screen during lunchtime. But being aware of the consequences of my phone lying on the table had an immediate consequence in my dealing with it:
I just leave it in my pocket ever since, simple as that. Now every get together starts with a little offer from my side:
A little more depth.