Phubbing: Is Your Friend an Ass or Just Progressive?

As Langdon Winner describes in “Technologies as a Form of Life,” the association between technology and progress causes technological somnambulism, or blindly following technological trends without much reflection.  We are sleepwalking through the 21^st century and openly accepting the hottest technology without consideration.  In industrialized nations, speed and value coincide: if it is faster, it is progress. Because of this mindset, technology is rarely questioned; it is advancement, it is good.    

Phubbing means to snub or disregard someone’s presence by looking at a phone rather than pay attention to them.  In that moment, the phone is a life form or a world more important than the world in front of the individual.  This form of life, like language, has growth, development, even invention – ie the creation of concepts such as announcing your “status.”  Often, I find myself in conversations where the other person is absorbed in our phone (maybe I need new friends?). By definition, phubbing is rude, but it shows the authenticity of the tech world; it is regularly enough to consume us to the point where we only partially exist in our current world.  As technology advances at an alarming rate, we must ask ourselves how legitimate this other world/existence is? I am not deeming it fake, simply “the other” for now, but I would not be surprised if one day it takes the majority of our time and energy (it does for some already).  If someone is phubbing at a table with a friend, but “liking” their pictures and snapchatting them, to what extent are they disregarding their presence? They are acknowledging a different form of their presence.  This may seem like a stretch, but it must be considered as we normalize the technological obsession in social spheres.

Referring to Marx and Wittgenstein’s theories, Winner says, “Social activity is an ongoing process of world-making.” I agree with him on numerous ideas, but certainly I concur with the notion of being aware of the current age. Winner uses the example of turning off the television as the freedom to choose how much technology one indulges in; but in the 21^st century, as certain apps, gadgets, and social networks are deeply rooted in society, denying the phenomenon creates a setback.  It is up to each individual to establish boundaries. There are downsides to living more in the technological world than the human world: people may miss important opportunities for individual growth or relationship building when they are too consumed.  For example, women my age often take pictures for Instagram or Facebook on a night out.  Because of this craze, some are more focused on taking an attractive photograph, editing, and posting it, than enjoying the night.  Similarly, people on vacation, at a cool music function, or even meditating outside, feel the need to document their experiences – often to the point where they forget to live it.  There is nothing wrong with accepting technological advances, but it is important to reflect on how they affect you as an individual.  Rather than sleepwalk aimlessly, question, seek answers, and find a balance that works. There is an overwhelming pressure to perform on social media platforms, and sometimes it is important to just be. 

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