Our Addiction to Portable Electronics Began with the Humble AM/FM Radio

What did mankind do before portable handheld electronics? And, what on earth are we doing now? Seems you cannot go anywhere without seeing someone engrossed in a cell phone, laptop, or tablet. It has become epidemic in our homes, restaurants, and outings with friends. It has become the norm where you are pretty convinced a friend or loved one’s entire life has become virtual reality.

Whatever happened to reality?

For such a connected society, we’ve become the disconnected masses who’ve lost the human touch. Distraction instead of attraction. I admit to being affected. I’ve become so addicted to texting that I find it annoying when someone says, “Call Me…” What?! On a more personal level, I suffer from a profound hearing loss dating back to Air Force noise, which makes phone conversations challenging at best.

Still – there’s nothing quite like reaching out and touching someone.

Ever find yourself alone in a room full of people?

Friendships via electronics have become more common than friendships in person. How many of us have met via social media? We probably have more friendships from social media than we ever did in bars, school, work, or another form of human interaction. Friendships begin with a “reach out” instead of a handshake.

I look at the more personal touch we get from our pets. They walk up, tails wagging, licking your hands and face. They like that more archaic approach to relationships, face-to-face, hearing your voice instead of reading your words.

Most will argue this obsession with portable electronics is no big deal, but instead a new means to socializing. To me, personally, it’s a big deal. A deal breaker.