iPhones, Earbuds, and the Implosion of Civilization

Am I the only one who has noticed a disturbing new trend in our use of technology? Once upon a time, if you were with a person, you were obligated to exchange a few words. This etiquette seems to have disappeared.It is now commonplace to see two people, perhaps a couple or a group of friends, together while all plugged into separate devices. 

I have seen parents wearing earbuds in an attempt to tune out their children as they walk, I have seen friends both with headphones on listening to music while attempting to converse.The clear implication is “you are not entertaining enough to satiate my desire for constant stimulation.”

I have seen this tragic disrespect displayed in many types of relationship. What does this tell us about who we are? Are we merely Amusing Ourselves to Death as Postman proclaimed? Indeed, we are, but even a decade ago our collective ADD was tempered by the basic decency of pretend attention.

We have all suffered through an interminably uninteresting conversation, but formerly, it was taken as a necessary evil in a civil society. Now, we are not required to go through the trouble of cleverly avoiding those with whom we have no desire to speak.

I am as much a fan of iPods as the next guy. If you see me around campus, it is safe to assume I am listening to an audiobook, podcast, or music. However, I still cling to the thin veneer of civilization which impels me to take out my earbuds, turn off my device, and acknowledge the common humanity of an interlocutor.

I often have little enjoyment in perfunctory small talk, but I was raised to believe that we are not atomistic individuals afloat in a sea of strangers. We used to believe that the inconvenience of an awkward conversation was worth its annoyance because it help build community. We fain interest presently so we don’t have to confront a world that doesn’t care about us. We retreat into ourselves so as not to face the crushing silence of loneliness in an isolated life.