Headline: Author’s Shift from “Never-Phoner” to Smartphone Skeptic Reveals Societal disconnect
amsterdam, NL – A prominent author, known for his dry humor and critiques of modern life, has publicly shifted his stance on smartphone usage, moving from a staunch “Never-phoner” to a concerned observer of what he terms “smartphone addiction.” His evolving perspective, detailed in a recent Atlantic piece translated by NRC and 360 Magazine, offers a stark look at the societal impact of constant digital engagement.
The author,who previously championed a life free from mobile phones,now acknowledges the potential for his former lifestyle to be perceived as outdated. He notes a shift in his own feelings, moving from a sense of pride in his telephoneless existence to a recognition that it might be leading him to become a “lagger,” a term he uses to describe someone falling behind due to a deliberate avoidance of a prevalent technology. This phenomenon, he suggests, could be an example of the “law of the stimulating backlog.”
In his original writings, the author expressed confidence in his ability to avoid the negative effects of smartphones, such as a “numbed, preoccupied feeling,” “social atrophy,” and the physical toll of constant scrolling. He believed his attention span remained superior to many, citing observations of cinema-goers frequently checking their phones or scrolling through them entirely during films.
However, the reality of a telephoneless life, as he detailed, presented its own set of challenges. Navigating without a smartphone proved cumbersome, with his pockets frequently enough filled with a disorganized collection of notes, receipts, and torn bills. He recounts a specific instance where he missed an crucial job interview due to an error in filling out street names on a hurried note.Socially, the author admitted to occasional melancholy stemming from the missed conversations and shared experiences that often occur in group settings. He described the awkwardness of offering two twenty-euro notes when a group bill split resulted in a per-person cost of 37.50 euros, highlighting the practical inconveniences of being disconnected from digital payment systems.
Schneider’s observations extended to the behavior of others,noting what he termed “curious behavior” such as individuals engrossed in their phones while walking or driving,operating on a form of “automatic pilot.” He identified a paradoxical form of mindfulness in this constant attention to the phone, describing it as “living in the moment, but at the wrong time.”
The author posits that this pervasive digital engagement has contributed to a sense of existential loneliness and alienation. He draws a parallel between the solitary act of scrolling through social media and robert Putnam’s concept of “Bowling Alone,” suggesting a decline in social capital and community involvement. The author identifies the use of dating apps as a notably low point, likening the experience of those engrossed in them to the loneliness of solipsism – the belief that one’s own mind is the only thing that is known to exist.
