It’s no secret that some people get extremely agitated when others judge or dare to comment on their use of technology and its appropriate use in formal and many other settings.  I couldn’t resist this one anymore, so yes – I’m going there.  There, where angels and demons alike fear to tread, I am going there!  For goodness sake, put down the darn tablet, BB, smart phone, Kindle, whatever! Put it down.

Now let’s get all of the obvious things out of the way – the things I know you are going to use in your defence.  Technology, all forms of it has in many ways made our lives easier, more efficient and less time consuming. Check.  The communication tools that many of us now espouse and seemingly can’t live without, aid greatly in our business and social affairs. Check. Owning a smart phone or other hand held device that replaces other more bulky items such as books or computer screens makes our daily load lighter. Check.  

Those are just three of the more common reasons for our reliance on these items.  I won’t argue with you!  Personally I would like to stop lugging around my laptop and leave it at home forever!…so if anyone feels moved to “gift” me with an iPad, thanks!

Seriously though, has anyone noticed how people are less focussed, less present and less mindful these days?  Has anyone noticed how the more technology we apparently have to make our lives easier, the less we get done?  Hmmm.  

For the love of all that is good, mindful, and socially acceptable – please put them down!

Now I must admit that my view is probably considered old-fashioned, unprogressive and just a tad bit boring really. Even I am amused by this position since I am in fact decidedly non-traditional and non-conformist.  I am, however, a minimalist.  Words when necessary, things – if necessary, action – when necessary.  As a result of this mindset, I am often amused by how much lives today are cluttered if not visibly on the surface, by things in the virtual world where many people live today instead of the real world.  

Here are five good reasons to put them all down:
 
Your FRIENDS who truly value your company and want to bask in your aura and PRESENCE will love you for it.  If you are one of THOSE people who cannot pull yourself away and lift your head from the handheld distraction while we are together – you DO NOT want to be my friend because I will constantly “drop words” about your lack of interest in now, the present, and flesh and blood in front of your face as opposed to your “contacts” in handheld land, (contacts which by the way you can refer to at any time when you are bored, have nothing else to do, or just feel like chatting when NOT in the company of people or a person.)

Your Associates and Business Colleagues will RESPECT you for it.  It means you know the time and the place for some things and that you place a value on your interaction with them at that point.  Don’t for a minute think that they are not commenting on your lack of manners and attention when you are out of earshot.  They are.  The truth is that we are the ones who place urgency on some of what we feel needs to be done, or what needs to be responded to at this moment and this very instant.  Just for one day, why not try seeing if the world comes crashing down because you didn’t respond to something a second after you received it.

You will accomplish the really important things in your day.  Once you lay off the unnecessary just for a bit and focus on the tasks you need to complete, you will actually complete them competently and with time to spare.  Then you can use that spare time staring at whatever is in your hand.

Your recollection and memory will improve.  Believe it or not, when your attention is constantly shifting, it means your focus is decreasing.  I have observed that oftentimes when a person cannot remember a piece of information, a name, or anything else for that matter, it usually occurred at a time when their attention was elsewhere (usually on the iPad or BB).  So engrossed have they become in the other world that they are unable to recall simple bits of information that would have been introduced in a conversation or in the context of a business  communication.

It’s Annoying. Yes indeed, plain and simple – it is annoying.  It’s annoying to be in a movie theatre where the light from someone’s BB is distracting you, or their telephone conversation is so loud, it makes you want to lean over and contribute to the convo.  It’s annoying to go to a function (a wedding for example) and the minister spends the entire reception glued to an iPad (yes for real).  It’s annoying to be attempting to have a meeting with someone who cannot put it down thus prolonging the meeting unnecessarily due to their responding to every beep, ping, and call that goes off.  It’s annoying to go to church (a place I rarely visit) and see people with Kindle’s or iPad’s feigning important reading – the Bible I presume? It’s annoying that people no longer enjoy spending time with people, when they are with people.  

Call me old-fashioned.  I’ll take it.  Unfortunately our parents and grandparents were not as fortunate as we are to have these lovely and useful items at their disposal.  As a result, there were no rules for the terms of engagement.  Luckily some things never change and we should not dismiss this ever useful adage “there is a time and place for everything.”  

For the love of all that is good, mindful, and socially acceptable – please put them down!