Comments on: A Moment in Time on a Toronto Subway

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:09:58 +0000

@Robert – I agree; the face of communication is changing, and needn’t be the terrible thing that some people claim it to be. Like you say – it’s the people for whom the internet is the beginning and end of their communication that are losing out. But as a way to augment communication; I’m all for social media, internet, etc. Heck – I make my living with it, I meet all sorts of likeminded people with it, and I keep in touch with family and friends with it: I can’t complain!

@Shelley – The very thought of being completely disconnected is terrifying for some people, I think! But for the most part, I’d like to think people have some sort of balance to their device-driven worlds. To listen to some favourite tunes on the subway isn’t a faux-pas….but to exclude the outside world in entirety for it; that’s a shame.

By: Shelley

Shelley — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:13:33 +0000

I was on call for my job for 20 years, using bleeps and mobile phones that robbed me of freedom, sometimes for good reason, often on someone’s whim. Since retiring I have relished being unavailable. I turn on my mobile phone when I want to make a phone call or when I’ve agreed to be available for a specific occasion. I’m too old to have that peer pressure you mention. I see people sitting, walking, running, cycling, driving (!) all plugged into their devices. It looks like an addiction, a semi-life of distraction, but then I suppose that’s just the sort of thing old people say about the young. I prefer the stimulous of my own thoughts. My device of choice is a camera, the use of which requires me to pay attention to my surroundings. Present mindfulness makes me feel more alive, more awake. Perhaps one has to be 50-something to appreciate that.

By: Robert McKay

Robert McKay — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:36:11 +0000

I dunno. I’m not that saddened by the lack of interaction on buses and subways. How often is anyone really bold enough to get a phone number or email address to keep in touch with someone they meet there?

That’s what the internet is for. Yes people on the internet tend to congregate with people who already have very similar interests, but one or two shared interests doesn’t mean we don’t have a lot to learn from each other. The upside to internet communication is that we almost always have an easy way to stay in touch with that person we find interesting.

People are always so fast to make the internet and technology the end of personal communication, but I find that if you keep an open mind about what a quality interaction is then you’ll find that you just might have better relationships with people online sometimes.

Oh, and of course this isn’t directed at you personally, Nora. I’ve just seen a lot of lamenting lately over the lack of “real” personal interaction. I know you are a more open and intelligent person than most of those ranters.

Great thought provoking post. Thank you.

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 19:38:54 +0000

@Kate – Indeed, it’s an interesting technique for avoiding unwanted contacts…I hadn’t really thought of it that way!

@Kristen – Sometimes just watching people who are all in their own little worlds can be illuminating enough. They’re usually too distracted to mind being stared at! 🙂

By: Kristen

Kristen — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:12:33 +0000

That’s exactly how I felt when I road the subway for the first time in 11 months about 1 month ago. It was crazy how everyone is just so into their own world of technology. It makes me sad. However, there are some really interesting people on the Toronto subways that I’ve either just watched or spoke to. I love just talking to random people, ESPECIALLY if they are on their phone. They need to be brought back to reality.

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:50:40 +0000

There are A LOT of creepies on the subway these days, it’s usually best to be armed with a book or an iPhone…!