Soon, the Boston Globe will ask…
“Why don’t we all just staple our genitals?”
I fucking hate this period of history.
“I can’t personally slow down technology or fix media or the demands of capitalism or any of the other existential things that have crept into our lives,” he writes. “But maybe what I can do is stop what I’m doing, ask somebody to come outside, and take five minutes to slow down with me while I engage in the very dangerous act of driving a bent metal stick into my ballsack, securing it tightly to my thigh. This could be my rebellion.”
The author doesn’t actually want everyone to start smoking, it’s an essay about how our current mode of living is becoming increasingly unhinged. To the point where endangering your health with a known carcinogen seems like it might be worth it, because you’ll have 5 minutes of peace.
Honestly, I feel a bit like that bit in the Marvel movie where Banner reveals that has control over Hulk because he’s always angry. I get where she’s coming from.
Which is quite literally the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. You can take a break without smoking a cigarette.
And you know what? If you do want to smoke a cigarette, you can just do it, you don’t have to blame capitalism for making you do it.
Today on the radio while I was driving the DJs were talking about a trend where businesses are demanding all their employees turn in their phone at the office or factory door and not get it back until after their workday is over. Which is something at least some schools have been doing for awhile.
The DJs were soliciting callers to opine on this or to relate tales of their own workplace doing this. My drive ended before they’d gathered any responses.
Lotta folks seem to be noticing that holding an addictive rage / distraction generator box up to your face all day is counterproductive to your work, and to your sanity.
It is, for certain.
For me, I have long moments of the day where I am waiting for an install, or a long reboot, or something else where I am stuck somewhere and need something to occupy me. The phone isn’t an unwelcome distraction, but rather a way to cope. If I didn’t have a phone, I’d probably carry something like a paperback book. (Actually I would do that back in the day.) Honestly, more than half the time I am looking at my phone during the day, I’m actually reading an e-book, so it’s not all that different.
I know I am not a typical person though.
Hm. 25 years ago or so, I was in charge of the team that decided the carrier and the models of phone to purchase for the employees that had been deemed to need phones to better do their jobs.
But I can see their point…if a phone isn’t necessary for you to get your job done, then it certainly can be a distraction. And our local school district instituted this policy last fall.
Back when I was working I often commented that my phone / pocket internet terminal was the handiest tool in my work tool bag. For all the stuff that needs doing and all the last minute perturbations that occur while the airplane isn’t moving.
At the same time, it was utterly verboten, and about 99% complied with, that once we got settled into the seat, all phones were shut down & put away until we were getting up out of the seat at the destination.
Every transportation mode has experienced horrific accidents caused by people fiddling with their phone when they’re supposed to be driving / flying / sailing / lookout-ing / whatevering.
Decent bet there are similar stories in manufacturing but due to lack of federal safety oversight those cases don’t get out into the public’s knowledge as much.
For office workers the hazard isn’t safety. Just distracted low quality work and not much of it being done.
Having said that, I’m like you. If there’s a mere minute of nothing-to-do time, my hand instinctively whips out my phone. Even if just 3 minutes ago I’d established that I have no pending texts, emails, nor Dopes to read, nor have I hear my phone beep in those 3 minutes. Gaah!
Here’s one from a town a couple away from mine. In this case it’s kids being typical thoughtless kids. With a side order of almost too stupid to believe …
The article is silent on whether the kid called 911 on his own mobile phone or not. But if so, that would be the real genius cherry on his double-stupid sundae.
The article goes on to talk about other unrelated incidents along the same lines. Probably not a fad the kids ought to embrace. Stick to something safe. Like Tide pods.
What a tortured headline. No, rock paper scissors is not what got him in trouble. Calling the police and reporting a shooting threat is what did it.
Well, yeah. But Florida newspapers have to hire Florida Men; it’s who’s available around here. Florida Women too. 
My sister was recently diagnosed as ADHD/mildly autistic, and she just has to be writing something – anything – doodling even – for what people are saying to sink in for her.
I know two people named Xochitl, and the X is more a soft Z. Kinda haflway between S and Z. I like the name.
Well, why not! If we can get measles and probably polio back, why not cancer and strokes and emphysema and heart attacks? We need to get back to yearly chest xrays! And people who look like they are 80 when they are 40. And everyone will be rail thin again! Smoking for everyone!
And if you additionally have to smoke outside, away from friends and relatives, win-win.
Richard Dawkins thinks chatbots are sapient.
That article is paywalled for me.
I’m not sure what the point of your post is, except apparently to say that Hawkins’ reaction is stupid. I think it’s possible that the parts of the article leading up to those interactions, which I can’t read very much of, might temper that with the idea that he’s trying to make a point, and that maybe he has a good reason for what he says. I can’t say one way or the other, but I think your point so far falls a little flat.
This is the thread for that, yes?
And 25 years ago, it was mostly just a phone. Possibly text messaging and maybe email. My company Blackberry was so they could reach 24x7(ish) for system support.
Dawkins was reported in the news for being a stupid MFer, so it seems cromulent.