Put down your phone and be in the moment

[Jerry Horne]

It doesn't, for me at least. But please stop walking into me and my kid.

This!! Thank you!!

 

[Darvans]

That's just it, I'm really not sure too many people really LIVE life anymore. There is so much competition and vying to impress those through social media who we wouldn't even have anything to say to in RL, and for what? What is it achieving for anyone? Why should we really care what anyone else is doing unless they are a close friend or family member? And furthermore, why should mere acquaintances care about what WE are doing? Where does the need to say "haha! I'm at DISNEYLAND and you're not, aren't you jelly?!!" stem from? It's just further driving the competition and jealousy so that people can "win" the magical super-elusive (read: non-existent) "MY FAKE LIFE IS THE BEST ON ALL OF FACEBOOK" award, because of course nobody posts everyday normal stuff, only the super-fabulous, makes me and my life, kids, hobby, job, etc. look insanely awesome stuff, right? Personally, I feel all that is coming of it is a mass population of very dissatisfied and depressed people who can't see the beauty of life and people happening right in front of their faces.

I do agree with these points. But, for us, Mousewait, Hidden Mickey and Lots To Do apps will only be enhancing our visits. I refuse to put twitter or Facebook on my phone as I don't want to be one of those people you are referring to as I also find it sad to see people absorbed into their phones. But, not all of us are like that, some of use phones for good, not evil.

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

I do agree with these points. But, for us, Mousewait, Hidden Mickey and Lots To Do apps will only be enhancing our visits. I refuse to put twitter or Facebook on my phone as I don't want to be one of those people you are referring to as I also find it sad to see people absorbed into their phones. But, not all of us are like that, some of use phones for good, not evil.

Of course we use mousewait too. It's the best and quickest way to see where to head in the parks next!

 

[BayGirl22]

That's just it, I'm really not sure too many people really LIVE life anymore. There is so much competition and vying to impress those through social media who we wouldn't even have anything to say to in RL, and for what? What is it achieving for anyone? Why should we really care what anyone else is doing unless they are a close friend or family member? And furthermore, why should mere acquaintances care about what WE are doing? Where does the need to say "haha! I'm at DISNEYLAND and you're not, aren't you jelly?!!" stem from? It's just further driving the competition and jealousy so that people can "win" the magical super-elusive (read: non-existent) "MY FAKE LIFE IS THE BEST ON ALL OF FACEBOOK" award, because of course nobody posts everyday normal stuff, only the super-fabulous, makes me and my life, kids, hobby, job, etc. look insanely awesome stuff, right? Personally, I feel all that is coming of it is a mass population of very dissatisfied and depressed people who can't see the beauty of life and people happening right in front of their faces.

(Yes...yes I'm passionate about this! lol Climbing off the box now. hahaha )

That's one of the most depressing, pessimistic perspectives on human behavior I've heard in a while. Sure, there are people who are like that - braggy and fake and disconnected to others. Rest assured there are many of us who use FB and other technologies to connect with real life people we care about and develop deep relationships with. Many of those online connections are supplemented by some kind of in person time, or deeper conversations in smaller groups. Also not everything that happens on FB is projected on your newsfeed. There are plenty of closed/secret groups and private messages that are either one on one or among a close group of people or focused on a specific topic.

I for one am happy I have technology to connect deeper and more frequently than I could with people I know than I could 10 years ago when letters and phone was my only option. It also gives us access to a lot more information than we had then - the DIS is an example of that. Just saying that technology is not all doom and gloom, its how you use it that matters.

I think HydroGuy's comment applies to both Disney and real life: "Technology in the right balance enhances the experience at DLR. Too much detracts. Too little limits how you much you can share your experience."

 

[seagodess]

Why it matters to me personally, is not nearly constrained to phone usage in the parks. It's best described as a heavy sadness, I guess. I see how things are changing in our world, and I don't personally believe it to be for the best. I don't feel that people mindlessly numbing out to whatever piece of technology happens to be in front of their face, is truly experiencing life. There is very little REAL connection in any of that. How many people are RL GOOD friends with the people that are on their FB pages or their twitter accounts, for example? My very favorite song is by Passenger and he speaks to this EXACT phenomenon. It's called "Life is for the Living". You can FEEL the sadness over the very same thing in his voice. Some snippets are:

"And we all had new iPhones but no one had no one to call" (how true is this?!)

and

"Don’t you cry for the lost
Smile for the living
Get what you need and give what you’re given
Life’s for the living so live it
Or you’re better off dead"

That's just it, I'm really not sure too many people really LIVE life anymore. There is so much competition and vying to impress those through social media who we wouldn't even have anything to say to in RL, and for what? What is it achieving for anyone? Why should we really care what anyone else is doing unless they are a close friend or family member? And furthermore, why should mere acquaintances care about what WE are doing? Where does the need to say "haha! I'm at DISNEYLAND and you're not, aren't you jelly?!!" stem from? It's just further driving the competition and jealousy so that people can "win" the magical super-elusive (read: non-existent) "MY FAKE LIFE IS THE BEST ON ALL OF FACEBOOK" award, because of course nobody posts everyday normal stuff, only the super-fabulous, makes me and my life, kids, hobby, job, etc. look insanely awesome stuff, right? Personally, I feel all that is coming of it is a mass population of very dissatisfied and depressed people who can't see the beauty of life and people happening right in front of their faces.

(Yes...yes I'm passionate about this! lol Climbing off the box now. hahaha )

I agree with A LOT of what you are saying. I hate how phones and tablets and such have taken over everything and people cant take their faces out of them long enough to watch their kid play. I hate how people can't pick up the phone and actually talk to someone. They have to text every single thing. HOWEVER, as some people have stated, they do come in handy. DS wears a necklace that has mine and DH's phone number on it incase he gets lost. If he got lost, I want someone to be able to get a hold of us. No way would we leave our phones in the hotel or turned off. Also, people use them to find out wait times or to kill time while waiting in line. I see nothing wrong with that. Its not like there is much else to do. I talk to DS about what we've been doing, what we are going to do and so on, but that only takes so long. When lines are really long, he can get bored. Now that I have a smart phone I can help keep him entertained and prevent him from whinning about waiting so long. Will I do this for every line? No probably not, but on some of them I'm sure I will. Either way though, how other people kill time waiting in line is not my concern.

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

That's one of the most depressing, pessimistic perspectives on human behavior I've heard in a while. Sure, there are people who are like that - braggy and fake and disconnected to others. Rest assured there are many of us who use FB and other technologies to connect with real life people we care about and develop deep relationships with. Many of those online connections are supplemented by some kind of in person time, or deeper conversations in smaller groups. Also not everything that happens on FB is projected on your newsfeed. There are plenty of closed/secret groups and private messages that are either one on one or among a close group of people or focused on a specific topic.

I for one am happy I have technology to connect deeper and more frequently than I could with people I know than I could 10 years ago when letters and phone was my only option. It also gives us access to a lot more information than we had then - the DIS is an example of that. Just saying that technology is not all doom and gloom, its how you use it that matters.

I think HydroGuy's comment applies to both Disney and real life: "Technology in the right balance enhances the experience at DLR. Too much detracts. Too little limits how you much you can share your experience."

Oh but then you must have missed the part where I mentioned connection with close friends and family? It's just that you hear people bragging all the time about how they have 957 friends (things like this are said on tv ALL the time) and realistically it is not humanly possible to be real friends with that many people. Using technology to connect on a deeper level and further connection to people who you are actually engaging in real connection with is a totally different thing.

 

[Astylla]

I think it's interesting how as human nature we tend to make assumptions based on what we find acceptable. There have been arguments both ways and really..does it matter in the end ? Sure admittedly I get on my husband for being "too plugged in" as well , lol. But as generations change to more of a electronics age for some , that IS their way to enjoy life , and it doesn't make it any more or less enjoyable experience than one who may not be.

The whole walking into people while texting - yes I agree is highly frustrating and I can understand that, however the same can be said with people who need to use strollers so again it's all relative.

I just find it interesting that some would assume the experience isn't being enjoyed just because someone may be using their phone more than "you" would.

There could be a number of reasons that when it comes down to it unless it is offensive in nature or disruptive to the point of others such as talking loudly during a WoC showing or similar it's none of our business. This happened to me..they didn't like the show so thought it was acceptable to talk loudly to ruin the atmosphere.

I really think it is similar to those who plan vs those who don't and why some like to go commando style while others prefer a casual relaxed way. It's all about personal experience and preference. Nothing is inherently wrong or right , just different and I feel if we spent less time worrying about what others are doing we might find ourselves enjoying the experience more.

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

I agree with A LOT of what you are saying. I hate how phones and tablets and such have taken over everything and people cant take their faces out of them long enough to watch their kid play. I hate how people can't pick up the phone and actually talk to someone. They have to text every single thing. HOWEVER, as some people have stated, they do come in handy. DS wears a necklace that has mine and DH's phone number on it incase he gets lost. If he got lost, I want someone to be able to get a hold of us. No way would we leave our phones in the hotel or turned off. Also, people use them to find out wait times or to kill time while waiting in line. I see nothing wrong with that. Its not like there is much else to do. I talk to DS about what we've been doing, what we are going to do and so on, but that only takes so long. When lines are really long, he can get bored. Now that I have a smart phone I can help keep him entertained and prevent him from whinning about waiting so long. Will I do this for every line? No probably not, but on some of them I'm sure I will. Either way though, how other people kill time waiting in line is not my concern.

I absolutely agree with you that things like mousewait, gps and the like come in handy. I love being able to google something on the internet on my phone if I have a question too. I often think "man, what did we do before google?!" Yes, using technology to help enhance our lives is a good thing, but I'm just really sad for those who get lost in it, you know? And with each new cool app, gadget, device, etc. that comes out, it seems harder and harder for people to keep investing in and seeing real life around them, you know? It reminds me of WallE actually! You know how the people all have screens in front of their faces on the ship and then when they get turned off they are all full of wonder looking at life happening around them? I imagine it will be like that someday.

 

[seagodess]

Oh but then you must have missed the part where I mentioned connection with close friends and family? It's just that you hear people bragging all the time about how they have 957 friends (things like this are said on tv ALL the time) and realistically it is not humanly possible to be real friends with that many people. Using technology to connect on a deeper level and further connection to people who you are actually engaging in real connection with is a totally different thing.

I dont have tv, so I dont know what they say on tv. However I never see anyone in real life brag about how many friends they have on facebook. I see more people talk about deleting friends because they never actually talk to them. I believe things like facebook do help a lot of people be closer to family and friends. Before facebook, DH and I hardly ever saw or talked to any of his family. Now we know what is going on in all their lives. We chat with them once in a while. There is often family get togethers where one person sends invites to everyone. Before nobody had anyones info so it was basically call whoever you had a phone number for. Which in the end not many people had each others phone numbers. Sure we do most of our communicating online. However that is better than none which is what was being done before. Plus a lot of people live to far away to actually get to see much, so online is the easiest way. Another thing is sharing pictures and important updates is easier now than ever. You can now share good news with all of your family and friends at the same time rather than having to call each one individually. Not saying you should never call your family and friends to give important news to, but to for extended family I think online is a good way. Just because someone has facebook or texts doesn't mean they never see or talk to their family and friends on the phone or in person. People lead busier lives now days then they did years ago. I work, I have a husband I have a son, I have to help with homework, cook dinner, clean the house, take care of pets, spend time with my family, go to sports games and practice. I dont have time most days to sit and have a hour conversation with someone most days.

I think it's interesting how as human nature we tend to make assumptions based on what we find acceptable. There have been arguments both ways and really..does it matter in the end ? Sure admittedly I get on my husband for being "too plugged in" as well , lol. But as generations change to more of a electronics age for some , that IS their way to enjoy life , and it doesn't make it any more or less enjoyable experience than one who may not be.

The whole walking into people while texting - yes I agree is highly frustrating and I can understand that, however the same can be said with people who need to use strollers so again it's all relative.

I just find it interesting that some would assume the experience isn't being enjoyed just because someone may be using their phone more than "you" would.

There could be a number of reasons that when it comes down to it unless it is offensive in nature or disruptive to the point of others such as talking loudly during a WoC showing or similar it's none of our business. This happened to me..they didn't like the show so thought it was acceptable to talk loudly to ruin the atmosphere.

I really think it is similar to those who plan vs those who don't and why some like to go commando style while others prefer a casual relaxed way. It's all about personal experience and preference. Nothing is inherently wrong or right , just different and I feel if we spent less time worrying about what others are doing we might find ourselves enjoying the experience more.

Very well put.

 

[jenpace]

I "feel heavy sadness" for everyone who thinks it's their obligation to monitor other people and their activities, then log onto the internet to write an essay on a message board all about it. While at DL we all enjoy our time differently because, you know, we're all different and have different circumstances that you might even be unaware of in spite of your focused observational skill set.

If ever there was a "get a life" scenario, this would be one.

 

[BayGirl22]

Oh but then you must have missed the part where I mentioned connection with close friends and family? It's just that you hear people bragging all the time about how they have 957 friends (things like this are said on tv ALL the time) and realistically it is not humanly possible to be real friends with that many people. Using technology to connect on a deeper level and further connection to people who you are actually engaging in real connection with is a totally different thing.

I've never heard anyone IRL brag about # of friends on FB. Maybe on TV but since when is TV an indicator of reality?

I don't have nearly that many FB friends but I do think its very possible to have that many contacts IRL and I probably do. If you've lived several decades, moved around, changed jobs, been to various schools etc. Sure, those are acquaintances, not close friends in most cases, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with having many acquaintances in life, to the contrary having a broad network of contacts is a plus in my book. Its just as important as having some close and deep relationships.

What's wrong with using technology as a way to keep track of acquaintances that you would otherwise lose touch with? Really none of this has anything to do with what someone broadcasts on FB (ie. too much bragging as you suggested) or how much they live in the present and enjoy the moment while at DL. I'm just hearing a lot of parameters set up to judge people for living their lives.

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

I dont have tv, so I dont know what they say on tv. However I never see anyone in real life brag about how many friends they have on facebook. I see more people talk about deleting friends because they never actually talk to them. I believe things like facebook do help a lot of people be closer to family and friends. Before facebook, DH and I hardly ever saw or talked to any of his family. Now we know what is going on in all their lives. We chat with them once in a while. There is often family get togethers where one person sends invites to everyone. Before nobody had anyones info so it was basically call whoever you had a phone number for. Which in the end not many people had each others phone numbers. Sure we do most of our communicating online. However that is better than none which is what was being done before. Plus a lot of people live to far away to actually get to see much, so online is the easiest way. Another thing is sharing pictures and important updates is easier now than ever. You can now share good news with all of your family and friends at the same time rather than having to call each one individually. Not saying you should never call your family and friends to give important news to, but to for extended family I think online is a good way. Just because someone has facebook or texts doesn't mean they never see or talk to their family and friends on the phone or in person. People lead busier lives now days then they did years ago. I work, I have a husband I have a son, I have to help with homework, cook dinner, clean the house, take care of pets, spend time with my family, go to sports games and practice. I dont have time most days to sit and have a hour conversation with someone most days.

Interesting. I appreciate you perspectives. We don't have cable anymore either, though we used to and I remember always thinking how sad it was that people in shows and commercials bragged about the amount of friends they had. That WAS back when FB was just getting popular though, so perhaps it's not like that as much anymore. I do understand not having enough time to get to talk to all of your close friends family everyday. I have three kids that I homeschool, believe me, I get it! lol We haven't had a facebook account in a very long time, but we are moving to Florida soon and the husband and I have been talking about opening an account up again but only for our family because we will never see them and can't realistically talk to them each day on the phone. I see where it can really benefit a family in this way.

 

[spellhex]

Allow me to share a few quotes about the peril of modern life.

It is, unfortunately, one of the chief characteristics of modern business to be always in a hurry. In olden times it was different.
-The Medical Record, 1884

Conversation is said to be a lost art... Good talk presupposes leisure, both for preparation and enjoyment. The age of leisure is dead, and the art of conversation is dying.
-Frank Leslie's Popular Monty, Volume 29, 1890

Our modern family gathering, silent around the fire, each individual with his head buried in his favourite magazine, is the somewhat natural outcome of the banishment of colloquy from the school...
-The Journal of Education, Volume 29, 1907

Whoops! Seems I'm off by 100 years.

Thing is, the advent of the smart phone is just a new method of distraction, not a new phenomenon of distraction. People have always been this way. Heck, I have distinct memories of my brother bringing comics to read in line when we went to Disneyland as kids; now he instead reads things on his phone.

Just like Main Street USA is a romanticized notion of a small town main street in the early 20th century, the idea that people used to socialize more with their family and friends before social media is similarly romanticized and nostalgia-laden.

(All quotes found in this XKCD comic)

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I "feel heavy sadness" for everyone who thinks it's their obligation to monitor other people and their activities, then log onto the internet to write an essay on a message board all about it. While at DL we all enjoy our time differently because, you know, we're all different and have different circumstances that you might even be unaware of in spite of your focused observational skill set.

If ever there was a "get a life" scenario, this would be one.

I think this thread has strayed way beyond DLR into community territory.

 

[momrek06]

I have two posts on this thread and mine pertain to WALKING and using your phone to play games or read your email or text someone and your head is down buried in your phone ignoring that you are in a theme park loaded with people and expecting all of us NOT on our phones get out of your way.

I would just like to see those that use their phones in the park, please stand off to the side and do your business.

I do have a question; we parked at Harbor today. When we got out we made a mental note (like we have for yearsssss) where we parked the car. Today a young man got out of his car in front of us and proceeded to pull out his ipad mini and take easily 17 pictures of where his car is in the Woody lot. What did everyone do yearsssss ago before we had phones to help us find our cars???

 

[jenpace]

I think this thread has strayed way beyond DLR into community territory.

Agreed. I'm sure a mod will move it over to the other side once it's seen.

 

[sherilaine]

I agree this should be moved - whether a person using their phone in DLR should not really be an issue for anyone unless the use of that phone is causing them to be directly affected.

While I only use mine very minimally when there I certainly do not care if others do - no one knows what someone else is going through or why they need to be using their phone.

 

[WestMom2two]

I love my phone but I have to say it was the last thing I thought about in Disneyland. I think the only time I looked at is was to check us in at the happiest place on earth lol 5 days later when it was time to pack up I panicked because I hadn't seen my phone and had no clue where I left it all week.

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

I "feel heavy sadness" for everyone who thinks it's their obligation to monitor other people and their activities, then log onto the internet to write an essay on a message board all about it. While at DL we all enjoy our time differently because, you know, we're all different and have different circumstances that you might even be unaware of in spite of your focused observational skill set.

If ever there was a "get a life" scenario, this would be one.

Is this supposed to be funny? I'm sorry, but I thought everyone was entitled to their opinion on an open forum? Is it really necessary to poke fun of other people's feelings? Ouch.

That being said, I agree that this has gone off way topic. lol I was just trying to respond to the one statement about living life and wanted to share my (as I stated) personal opinion. That's it, nothing more to say. I'm kinda sorry I shared an opinion at all now. sheesh.

 

[Mousequake]

Is this supposed to be funny? I'm sorry, but I thought everyone was entitled to their opinion on an open forum? Is it really necessary to poke fun of other people's feelings? Ouch.

I seem to remember someone in this thread repeatedly poking fun at people who find validation in the number of FB friends they have.