A Generation of Idiots

Today’s society revolves around technology. It’s no secret.

Facebook.

Twitter.

iPhones, iPods, iPads.

Smart phones.

Tablets.

E-readers.

Instagram.

Linked in.

Foursquare.

Pinterest.

Blogs.

These things are all wrapped up into what we call social media. We sit in rooms full of people, but our attention is focused on our handheld devices checking in to see what so and so is eating for dinner or who wore it best on the red carpet that night. But we’re missing the glorious moments that can only be experienced by being present.

I will never forget visiting my grandfather in the nursing home over the last few months he had left. I’d show up, but if he wanted to watch tv or take a nap, I’d turn to my phone to play a game or catch up on what my friends were doing that weekend while I was away. I’m as guilty as the next person for being sucked into my phone and the happenings on Instagram and Twitter. What really got to me was when we would visit him as a group, as in my entire family. My grandpa would just shake his head at us because every single one of us would have some kind of device (be it a phone, iPad, etc.) that we were playing on. He’d remind us that he didn’t have such luxuries growing up and that it’s scary what this world has come to. And he was right.

My memories growing up are of being outside with my siblings and playing in our tree house. We would play with our dog or visit with our grandparents down the road. We’d check cows and “help” with lunch. Those memories of my childhood are ones that I will cherish forever. Now that all of my grandparents are no longer with us, these memories are even more special to me. If we had the technology we do today back then, those memories would be overcrowded with phones and games and Facebook. I’m glad we didn’t have the distractions that are technology today. It made the quality time with my loved ones that much more special. And when the time comes for me to have children, I don’t want them to rely on technology to not be bored. I know that we’ll live in a completely different time by then, but I want them to value friendship and family just as much as I do.

Gary Turk describes it the best way possible. Check it out.

INDIANAPOLIS — Dom Raso encountered and killed some of the world’s worst bad guys in his 12-year career as a Navy SEAL. He knows what he’s talking about, then, when it comes to protecting yourself. His one piece of advice for the average person regarding self-defense? “Get your head out of your phone.”

“Just look up,” he told TheBlaze at the 2014 NRA convention. “It’s just a very, very simple thing to do and no one does it anymore, and it’s really scary.”

(Source: NRA Freestyle)

“Whether it’s here, the show, walking to your car, at the mall, walking your dog — getting your head out of your phone will allow you to actually experience your environment.”

The former soldier who’s also an NRA contributor cited the viral videos of people running into fountains while staring down at their phones. While many chuckle, he said that the other possibilities are no laughing matter.

“People falling into fountains and running into stuff — that’s people running up to you and stealing your purse, or taking your phone, or punching you in the face. We have all kinds of crazy stuff that’s out there. The threats are all real.”

Experiencing your environment, the now-retired SEAL said, sets you up to taking advantage of the second piece of advice: avoiding bad situations all together.

“The other thing I tell people is avoid, avoid, avoid,” Raso said. “I want to avoid any situation before it happens. If I have the awareness — if my awareness is up and my head is out of my phone — now I can just take an exit left or go down the elevator or go down the escalator as opposed to walking into someone that’s leaning on my car or two cars waiting for me.” 

He repeated himself for emphasis: “Avoiding is key, keeping your head out of your phone is key.” In fact, he’s practiced it so much it now comes as second nature. His example? “I already know where all the exits are in here.”