(no subject)
I'm watching Mannequin on tv... from 1987: http://imdb.com/title/tt0093493/
Something hit me while "Jonathon" was talking to his mannequin that came to life in the closed, empty department store. There was nothing that could interrupt him, nothing to take him out of the moment. No, really... hear me out. There was something missing from that scene... something missing from his pocket. He didn't have a cell phone. Now, these days, I'm not sure how I could handle going anywhere without a cell phone or a my new gps system. Too many 'what if's' enter my mind.
Then again, as an adult, I never lived without a cell phone... I've had one since around the start of college, and although then it seemed ridiculous for people to be on their phones while walking through the mall, or anywhere in public, it is now rare to NOT see anyone who's alone not on a cell phone. Or driving without being on the phone... I personally rather listen to music while I drive. Now I suppose you could say that the heavies and largest obstacle to living in the moment is having too many fears, and this is most definitely true. But even without fears and anxieties, you cannot walk down the street or complete a simple transaction at a store, or sit for coffee with a friend, without the very real possibility of being interrupted, of interrupting that one true physical and spiritual moment by the vibration or downloaded ringtone of a cell phone in one's pocket or purse.
I suppose you could argue that one could be "in the moment" while on the phone with someone, but I highly doubt it. Hearing a loved one's voice on the phone is merely a digital vocal vibration that tides you over until you see that person next, in person. And if for nothing else, phones are necessary for that reason alone. Otherwise, who do they really benefit but big businesses? The phone companies, and all other companies that can conduct business over the phone instead of in person, speeding up the process of money-making. And that's all well and fine, but relationships don't thrive on transactions. They thrive in the true, emotional moments that come from physical interaction, even if just through the sight of facial expressions or the clear and unquestionable inflection in one's voice when they speak words first created in the brain, that then trickle through the vocal chords and out the mouth and into the ears of another human.
This movie has really just reminded me of a time when I was but a kid. But I remember it well enough to know that moments were lived in full and less prone to breakage. I guess there's always a downside to 'advancement'. Unless in reality we're actually regressing.
Something hit me while "Jonathon" was talking to his mannequin that came to life in the closed, empty department store. There was nothing that could interrupt him, nothing to take him out of the moment. No, really... hear me out. There was something missing from that scene... something missing from his pocket. He didn't have a cell phone. Now, these days, I'm not sure how I could handle going anywhere without a cell phone or a my new gps system. Too many 'what if's' enter my mind.
Then again, as an adult, I never lived without a cell phone... I've had one since around the start of college, and although then it seemed ridiculous for people to be on their phones while walking through the mall, or anywhere in public, it is now rare to NOT see anyone who's alone not on a cell phone. Or driving without being on the phone... I personally rather listen to music while I drive. Now I suppose you could say that the heavies and largest obstacle to living in the moment is having too many fears, and this is most definitely true. But even without fears and anxieties, you cannot walk down the street or complete a simple transaction at a store, or sit for coffee with a friend, without the very real possibility of being interrupted, of interrupting that one true physical and spiritual moment by the vibration or downloaded ringtone of a cell phone in one's pocket or purse.
I suppose you could argue that one could be "in the moment" while on the phone with someone, but I highly doubt it. Hearing a loved one's voice on the phone is merely a digital vocal vibration that tides you over until you see that person next, in person. And if for nothing else, phones are necessary for that reason alone. Otherwise, who do they really benefit but big businesses? The phone companies, and all other companies that can conduct business over the phone instead of in person, speeding up the process of money-making. And that's all well and fine, but relationships don't thrive on transactions. They thrive in the true, emotional moments that come from physical interaction, even if just through the sight of facial expressions or the clear and unquestionable inflection in one's voice when they speak words first created in the brain, that then trickle through the vocal chords and out the mouth and into the ears of another human.
This movie has really just reminded me of a time when I was but a kid. But I remember it well enough to know that moments were lived in full and less prone to breakage. I guess there's always a downside to 'advancement'. Unless in reality we're actually regressing.