Put Your Phone Down
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Put Your Phone Down

16
Put Your Phone Down

Smartphones define our generation and allow us to be more social than ever before, yet they can  become the most anti-social item in our possession. 

We live in a technology dominated world with touch screens and iPhones and all kinds of crazy communication technology that is designed to make our lives simpler and more complicated at the same time. Fifty years ago, televisions were not found in every household, and a remote control was a revolutionary idea. As I type this, I am sitting on the couch with 12 tabs open on my laptop while flipping between multiple channels on the television and glancing at my phone to see Tahni tell me that my tweets are stupid in The Odyssey group text. I do this every day. Our generation has grown accustomed to this fast-paced social connectivity, but in my opinion, a smartphone is the most antisocial item in the room.

When you are in a crowded bar and you are waiting for your friends and alone, what do you do? If you are walking down the sidewalk and you do not want to make eye contact with someone, what do you pull out of your pocket and look at? I can’t make it through a boring lecture without flipping through at least 15 apps on my phone. A device created with communication in mind has become our go to for ignoring people. 

There are few things more annoying than having a conversation with someone and realizing they have not heard a word you said because they were playing flappy bird. It is downright rude and anti-social. This problem became very apparent when we were having our pregame festivities for a Valentine's Day formal. We were all in my living room watching music videos and socializing and taking cute pictures. Said pictures were immediately Instagrammed. Festivities proceeded, and we realized that a certain Tri-delta, whose name will be omitted, but rhymes with Shistina Shim, was keeping to herself, and constantly refreshing her Instagram feed to see if she got any new likes. 

We all have friends like this, and I have some advice. Just as we have been doing, when you are in a social setting, place your phones in a pile in the center of the table, or pass around a phone bucket during a Super Bowl party. Just put the damn thing down and communicate with your friends in the room, in the now, and with you.

You will have plenty of time to lament on social media when you have graduated and are living alone in a random city wishing you were back in college.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

59213
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

38279
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959734
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

197081
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments