To Connect or Disconnect...That Is The Question

[NotaTrollTravlin]

I do not have a cell, ( I do carry one when I travel but it is turned off - I have it in case of an emergency & to check for messages ) You try to find a pay phone any more :)

I was at a busy intersection sitting at the light and EVERYbody I saw was on a cell phone but me.... be afraid ...be very afraid.

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

Definitely!

We count the people at lights on cells too. It is scary how many seem to need to be talking in order to drive a vehicle.

Thanks for stopping by.

[raycolondotcom]

Hi Sunny and Stormy. Both an Interesting topic and video. For the longest time, I also did not have a cellphone. It wasn't until my daughter reached her teens and proceeded to harangue me continuously that I broke down and ordered cells. Shortly thereafter, I received one from my job, so I now have two.

Still, I disconnect all of the time. The cells are convenient, but can be intrusive if you let them -- I just don't let them. Like with most things, moderation is key. Peace, Ray

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

So true! Moderation is key.

Totally get the whole thing about the teenage daughter wearing you down for a cell phone. lol

[OhCurt]

Less is more.

[andymooseman]

That comment looks familiar ;)

[OhCurt]

I like to keep with a theme when possible.

;-)

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

;-)

[Serramist]

everything you said is oh so true...I especially hate seeing someone driving down the road with the cell phone stuck up to their ear..you know they can't be paying attention to whats happening beside, behind and even in front of them.

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

We hate it even more when they are texting and definitely not watching what's goin on.

[myrnaukelele]

I'm not big on talking on the phone. I don't even own a cell phone. It drives me nuts that people answer their phones anywhere anytime anyplace and are totally oblivious to people around them. I totally understand that there are emergencies and important things that need to be discussed but come on...why would you answer a phone when you're in a facetoface conversation with someone?

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

We hate talking on the phone. We really only do if someone calls us or if it is someone we can't see in person. (geographically)

[virtuallyresponsive]

My cellphone is off more than it is on. If someone starts yacking on the phone while they are eating with me, I politely excuse myself and walk away. I probably wouldn't have lunch with them again.

The only reason I have one is for work to contact me and the wife. Everyone else gets my home number. I don't want people calling me at work. Another place it sits off and idle.

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

Our cell phone is on more than it is off because we forget to shut it off. :-)

[justwant2bhappy]

Great video! We both have phones

but they are never turned on. We have them in case our cars were to break down or we are late coming home. You bring up so many great points. Last week I had three people almost run me off the road because they weren't paying attention. IT IS SCARY AS HELL being on the road with these idiots. I seen one guy texting!

I wish these phone didn't work unless the car is stopped. A great invention but people have gone STUPID with it. Makes me want to scream.

Hugs

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

Scary enough in a car, but on our bike......

We see it alot. People have enough trouble paying attention as it is. Add in another distraction... watch out!

Hugs

BTW .. We have screamed at people. LOL

[NiteBlogger]

I think it's rude what your friend did to you. In fact, I agree completely with you both. We humans seem to have a knack for over doing things...staying connected (on the phone) yet never enjoying the 'moment' or the peeps in the moment...that's just absurd.

Excellent question - looking forward to more of this series.

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

Stormy could do without a phone altogether.  ;-)

Thanks Ali

[NiteBlogger]

Most peeps don't even know I have a cell phone - I rarely turn it on - it's only for emergencies and long distance calls to my mom on Sunday. Broke down in middle of night on freeway on road trip years ago...had to hitch hike for help...never again! (the good side of cells) LOL

I think it's rude what your friend did to you.

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

That was the last time Sunny and Marylynn had lunch together. Sunny has never accepted her invitation again.

Definately agree with cell phones and road trips. Main reason we got ours. We didn't have one until our accident and someone let Sunny use theirs to contact our kids. Got it shortly after that. Now we sometimes forget to charge it.

[TamHickey67]

You make some very good points, particularly about being present, but not really there. I myself don't have a cell phone for precisely that reason. I find it incredibly rude if out with friends and they spend a lot of their time on the telephone. Almost like a slap in the face. It doesn't happen often, as I will tell them how rude it is and ask them to switch their phones off unless they are expecting a really important call. I don't think that's rude, just asking for some common courtesy.

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

Nothing wrong with demanding respect and the time with the person. If they are going to be there, they shoud BE there.

[jrsnyderjr]

"well you're there but are you really present?"

wow! what a powerful question. Personally I only have a cell phone and rarely use a "landline." On the other hand I have rules around the phone and the internet based on civility and interaction with people present and or around me at at home or work.

It's not the cell phones that are bad, it's the misuse of them...Caylyn's comments regarding time being valuable are right on point.

(more extensive comments on Andy's response)

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

Thanks for stopping by, watching the video and commenting.

We did read your comments on Andy's video and responded there as well.

Agreed that cells are not bad, just how people use them is the problem.

[kismet0717]

Hey you two...I so agree. While I'm fascinated by all this technology... I find cell phones and laptops obnoxious, rude and can be down right dangerous! Ppl just need to develope some manners and common sense while using!

Hugz you little sugars! JoJo

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

Yep.

Unfortunitely manners and common sense don't seem to be the norm much anymore.

Hugs right back at ya.

[Perroquet51]

A few days ago, I wanted to stop someone on the street and ask directions. Virtually everyone who walked by was on a cell phone and I didn't want to interrupt. I went into a small grocery to ask directions and the clerk was on a cell phone. Recently, I met a friend for lunch. The minute he sat down, his phone rang and he spent 15 minutes talking to the person. So, we connect with one person while disconnecting from the world around us.

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

So true.

No worries, if we ever get to meet up with you, the cell will be turned off.

[GreatGig1]

The way I think is that my TIME and the TIME of another is the greatest gift I can give or receive for that is the one thing we don't know how much we will ever have...:-)

Great topic and good rules for the dinner table! :-) xoxoxoxo

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

Absolutely right.

Time is one of the most precious things and once gone, you can never get it back.

Thanks Caylyn

[GreatGig1]

When I'm with others, I spend my time in that moment...hence the reason I don't get much video...ha! I think some people get way to distracted with all the little "connections" in their lives that they miss a lot of what's going on around them. I despise being with someone for lunch or whatever, and they spend a majority of the time on the phone "connected". It makes me feel like the time with me isn't important to them. (cont)

[JeriLynnKarr]

I love listening to you guys, and I LOVE YOUSE!!

Oh what a tangled web! :) First and foremost: I HATE TALKING ON THE PHONE, any phone, landline or cell, heck, even toy phones annoy me BUT text has been a savior for me :) Sorry this gets long & wordy! (cont)

[JeriLynnKarr]

(from above)DL's folks bought our first "Bag phone" 12/1995 when we were traveling back & forth to Denver for chemo, what a lifesaver. We had that phone until 1997 and then went cellphoneless until 2002. (cont)

Even though I love texting, it's not at the expense of my time with others! If I am expecting a call or text, I will tell whomever I am with that I have to take a short phone call or text message, take it, then be done with it. (cont)

[JeriLynnKarr]

(from above) I have a family member HORRIBLE to talk while out with us. They answer the phone right at the table & GAB GAB GAB. I really despise that, I don't want to hear about their business, and the funny thing is, I see this person once maybe twice a year, & the calls are always from people that they see regularly?? (cont)

[JeriLynnKarr]

(from above)

I guess my thoughts are: I will answer my cell phone wherever I am (EXCEPT DRIVING, NEVER WHILE DRIVING) if it is my husband or children, or a call I am expecting, like the docs, appts. etc, other wise the call can wait until I can comfortably & safely return it :)

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

We love you too.

Never worry about being too wordy. We like that. We can appreciate the instance about your family member. It happens alot to us. When our daughter comes over with the grandkids, her phone goes off over and over and over. Usually her mother complaining that she is here. (she lives with her)

Cells can be a helpful thing. But not at the expense of others. MWAH!!

[dl737]

I'm not a fan of cell phones, Never have been since an incident that occurred when JT was little.  I think I have less than 10 calls on mine per month-if that. We are so connected that there is a definite disconnect with the human, physical touch.

Similar story to yours. I was at the mall and observed 3 groups of teens. All the teens in the 3 separate groups were looking down and texting and missing the opportunity to actually TALK to the people right there. I just shook my head in disbelief.

[dl737]

Even amongst the social networking sites. It is so convenient to connect, that we really don't CONNECT anymore. It's a tweet or update here and there - but no real CONNECTION. That's one of the reasons I think YT and Stickam/Skype were different. It gives you the ability to connect on a deeper level and have deeper discussions. All the more sad therefore that people have left those mediums. The CONNECTION is broken - eventhough there is still a connection. If that made sense.

[dl737]

BTW - nice seeing you guys :)

[JeriLynnKarr]

HOLY SMOKES!! My reply is ACTUALLY longer than Daniel's, woot woot!!!

[dl737]

:-)

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

Thanks, nice to be seen.

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

Yeah, it makes sense. There can be a deeper CONNECTION when used.

More about this on upcoming videos.

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

We see that all the time when we go shopping or to dinner....

The younguns that Stormy work with are on their cells before they get to the staircase to leave the breakroom. (about 5 feet from the timeclock)

[Illuminatta]

It's called not using these wonderful 21st century tools wisely and maturely. And not being able to focus on one thing longer than 5 minutes. Cell phones are more than a matter of convenience...they are amazingly useful and comforting to have when on the road in case of emergencies. And good for you for holding rules for dinner. Nothing is so important that it can't wait until afterward. Only the ignorant and rude are paying too high a price. Great video! :)

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

5 Minutes??? Some people can't focus 5 secon....oh wow, look at that. LOL

You are right, they can be useful and comforting to have. Having a cell phone has helped us out more than once. But manners and common sense have to play in too. Thanks Toni

[andymooseman]

I think it all comes down to good vs bad manners & prioritising.

I'm tempted to do a response to this, as it's an interesting topic :)

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

Amen!

Thanks again for doing the response. Always appreciate hearing from you.

[andymooseman]

Thanks & it's my pleasure :)

[bugsinrug]

I agree with the both of you. Some people are now not only diconnecting from others..but also putting them and themselves at risk or in danger. I see it all the time. As far as I am concerned..we can go back to dial phones and hand written letters. Ooops..showin' my age again. luv ya's, Chris

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

Nothing wrong with that age. ;-)

We don't mind the technology, it's the misuse or abuse of it that bothers us.

Love and hugs

[CountryComesToTown]

Hi Sunny and Stormy. I agree with you completely but I'm somewhat guilty as well because I'm pretty wired in. This topic was on my mind yesterday. I was waiting to get a haircut and there was a 90 year old man watching the other four of us in the room staring at and tapping on their little phones. He just stared in disbelief and I had a conversation about technology with him. He was amazed at the phones cold do all that stuff. I do try to turn my off at all events. Happy Halloween to you two!

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

We have always wondered about how the much older people think about how things have progressed (technology wise). At 90 he has just about seen it all.

Hope you had a good Halloween too.