Zombies live among us and you can find them just about anywhere
I believe that the world has been taken over by zombies. And I fault the invention of cell phones.
Like last week. At Mohegan Sun for the state high school basketball championships. Walking from the arena to the Bow & Arrow Lounge for a, you know, postgame lemonade.
The usual bustle. People here and there, walking and talking. And here she comes. On her phone, head down, texting. Blissfully oblivious.
Had I stood still, she'd have run me over. I could have taken a charge.
She barely noticed that she missed me by inches.
Zombies, all. Like in Michael Jackson's Thriller video. You remember the image: Four shades of lighter/ darker green. Arms extended. Vacant look. Speaking in short phrases like, “braaaiiiins.”
So, again I say the world has been taken over by zombies. I had the occasion to be on a college campus earlier this week. I actually counted the number of people (not just students) who were not on their phone. It was easier. (I counted three).
Same deal. Zombie-esque. Hands extended, neck bent forward, and eyes affixed to the screen. No eye contact. No awareness of anything. Nada. Just for fun, I said hello to a few. And they I'm sure heard themselves saying ‘hi' back, but it was a barely audible “hummmpf.”
Why have cell phones taken over our lives?
Why can't we have a conversation anymore without checking our phones 31 times?
Why do people drop a month's salary to attend a sporting event … and then ignore the whole thing because they're on their phone the whole time?
I'm worried. Cell phones are a staple of the information age, yet are
creating social misfits. Like the guy writing this. It isn't like I had much of a social life to begin with. Too many games happen at night, so I'm often working. (Tough job, but someone's got to do it.) I don't to the movies as often as I used to, because every possible movie is on demand. And if there's not something I like, the great movie geniuses behind Netflix tell me what to watch. If the weather is cold, rainy, or if I simply need an excuse not to go out, I can catch a local band when a friend goes live on Facebook.
I feel myself being pulled into the Zombie nation. It horrifies me.
I mean, I knew that the pull was strong when I responded to a text recently with “k.”
I am a writer, and didn't make the time to write “ok” or even “okay.” What is wrong with me?
I have made myself a few promises to help waylay my addiction. I hope that if you see me out, and hopefully I am able to get out more, you notice a difference:
• I will not walk and be on my phone. Like texting and driving, I will pull over or resist the urge to use my phone. Anecdotally, a friend of mine has begun to read books while she walks. Her theory is that if people can be on their cell phones and function, why can't she read? Library books. She reads library books. You know. Those printed works of fiction and nonfiction on sheets of paper bound together within covers. Books.
• I will not bring my phone into any bar or restaurant. If I get out my phone, I will buy the person to my right a drink.
• I will make eye contact with strangers, and say “hello.”
• This week, as I'm off to the Final Four with the UConn women, the phone stays in the hotel at night when I'm off exploring, you know, art museums. Yes. Art museums. So who's with me? Anyone else willing to secede from Zombie Nation?
If you are, just text me back with “k.” This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro