The very first line of this article reads “New forms of media have always caused moral panics” then goes on to state that new technology had been “once denounced as threats to their consumers' brainpower and moral fiber” (Pinker 640). Which made me wonder, are smartphones making us dumb? On average a person will spend 22.8 days a year on their phone. Almost 23 full days spent staring at a 5 inch screen. Now, I guess it's not fair to jump to my first reaction of 'Is twitter really that important that you have to be on your phone 22 hours a day? No one cares that you just had a double flusher' (no, really companies make phone holders just for that room, because I guess sometimes it takes two hands..?) Anyway, the point is technology is advancing, and while sometimes there's no need for it, there are instances where it amazes me that one little piece of plastic can do so much.

          Family and friends are able to stay connected, even see one another no matter their distance via skype, and other similar programs that use your computer, or even phone's video camera to instantly connect you through a live stream. Even if you opt to go with out the face to face encounters, you still have the options of texting, e-mailing, instant messaging (if you're still into that. I'm not here to judge, I thought it was cool too...in 2006), and calling your loved one at the touch of a button, basically anywhere and everywhere (yes, even the bathroom!)

          With great power, comes great responsibility. It can be easy to get sucked into the apple universe and forget you have real friends too. But the concept of distractions are not as new as the iPad mini. Although what's distracting us these days is as new as the iPad mini, mainly because it is the iPad mini. Anyway, the article hits the nail on the head when it states “the solution is not to bemoan technology but to develop strategies of self-control, as we do every other temptation in life” (Pinker 641).

          It's all about balance. If you can have self-control over not eating an entire pizza at once, or not putting off all your work until the last minute (notice the word if at the beginning of the sentence, I mean, we're only human right?) you can certainly have the self-control to put down the phone and step away from the computer. Maybe set a no phones at the dinner table rule, that way you can just sit and really listen to what the people around you have to say. Maybe try reading an actual book, instead of an e-book. Or maybe just sit around and catch up with your friends, face to face every once in a while. (and no, facetime does not count)

Works Cited

Pinker, Steven. "Mind Over Mass Media." New York Times (2010): n. pag. Web.

"You Spend 23 Days a Year on Your Phone, Say New Figures - CNET." CNET. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.