The Binky of the New Age

A long time ago, when we were cranky, newborn infants, our parents would typically give us a binky to gnaw on. This chew toy would send us into a silent trance and solve every dilemma of our young lives. And nowadays, there’s a binky of the new age, which is more commonly referred to as a ‘smart phone.’ You see, smart phones aren’t so different from binkies; we are irritable without them, yet content beyond belief when able to “get our fix.”

But as of late, I have been blown away by the amount of time people are spending on their cell phones. Whether it’s at the dinner table, in the movie theatre, or down the bar, people are always on the binky. This may just be my opinion, but when I’m hanging out with friends that are constantly punching away on their miniature keyboards, I get the sense that they’d rather be somewhere else. Time that used to be spent being engaged in abstract conversation is now spent playing Risk, “checking-in,” and updating the Facebook faithful on every move they make (as if the majority of them care the slightest bit.)

Unfortunately, there is a major problem brewing here: the more connected we become with each other in a virtual sense, the less connected we’re becoming with each other in a personal sense. We’ve gotten to the point of always being so binky linked, that if someone doesn’t respond to a text message or a missed call within ten minutes, we contemplate sending out a search party for them.

And why do they still call them phones anyway? When is the last time you actually made a phone call and spoke to someone on the phone? And if you can remember when the last time was, I’m sure you weren’t too fond of actually having to speak words and carry on a conversation. This day in age, plans can be made in an instant, and broken just as easily (typically by text message.) And should I have to alter my behavior when I’m out trying to have a good time because I may be secretly caught on video, which could later be uploaded to The Book for all to see?

Next time you go to hang with some friends, try turning the phone off for a change. Most people won’t be able to last too long, as studies have actually been conducted proving that people are addicted to their binkies. So this begs me to ask the following question: is there an app to combat the loss of personal connections with friends? Because if so, we could sure use it.

-Coon