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When Is The Best Time To Leave Your Phone In The Car?
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Not that long ago, if someone called you, and there was no answer, there was no problem. Phones were “landlines,” installed in the house and wired to the wall — and if no one was home, the phone kept ringing until the caller gave up. (This is before answering machines — days which people still living today and not hopelessly ancient, remember.) Nobody expected people to stay home, glued 24/7 to the phone, ready to answer whenever it rang.
But now they do. And while cell phones technically free us from sitting by the landline, they chain us to the phone itself.
“Why didn’t you pick up?’ many people ask when we finally do because everyone — your boss, your girlfriend, the kid who mows your lawn — knows that you carry the phone with you closer than the socks on your feet.
I painted Serenity — in which a young woman tranquilly contemplates the Grand Canyon of the U.S. Southwest — with silence in mind. That silence is especially beautiful not because the woman’s phone is turned off, but because she isn’t carrying one at all. She is alone with her thoughts, interrupted by nobody, undisturbed by the vibration of an incoming text.
Technology has its place, but it is not one of master over servants.
(And the answer to the question is, anytime you need to be by yourself with your thoughts.)
More info: 2-steve-henderson.pixels.com
RELATED:
Serenity, by Steve Henderson
Not that long ago, if someone called you, and there was no answer, there was no problem. Phones were “landlines,” installed in the house and wired to the wall — and if no one was home, the phone kept ringing until the caller gave up. (This is before answering machines — days which people still living today and not hopelessly ancient, remember.) Nobody expected people to stay home, glued 24/7 to the phone, ready to answer whenever it rang.
But now they do. And while cell phones technically free us from sitting by the landline, they chain us to the phone itself.
“Why didn’t you pick up?’ many people ask when we finally do because everyone — your boss, your girlfriend, the kid who mows your lawn — knows that you carry the phone with you closer than the socks on your feet.
I painted Serenity — in which a young woman tranquilly contemplates the Grand Canyon of the U.S. Southwest — with silence in mind. That silence is especially beautiful not because the woman’s phone is turned off, but because she isn’t carrying one at all. She is alone with her thoughts, interrupted by nobody, undisturbed by the vibration of an incoming text.
Technology has its place, but it is not one of master over servants.
(And the answer to the question is, anytime you need to be by yourself with your thoughts.)
More info: 2-steve-henderson.pixels.com
RELATED:
Serenity, by Steve Henderson
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What do you think ?
Dorothy Berry-Lound 6 years ago
Great post. I was in an airport departure lounge recently and there were no seats, we were all standing like sardines. It was a little claustrophobic and uncomfortable and I looked to speak to someone near me to say something to and every single person near me was on their mobile texting or reading emails. The art of conversation has been lost along with the art of silence and we need to find them and get them back in action!
Steve Henderson (Post author) 6 years ago
I see that, too, Dorothy -- it almost looks like a scene from a sci-fi story -- people with their heads down, hands moving, eyes glazed. Interestingly, my wife mentions that when she is a public place, knitting, people come up to her and start to talk -- some of them even leave their phones to do this.
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Dora Hathazi Mendes 6 years ago
Great thoughts Steve and wonderful painting! Reminds me my unforgettable experience when I sat at Canyionlands looking to the scene front of me..
Steve Henderson (Post author) 6 years ago
Thank you, Dora. It is an unforgettable experience, isn't it? No matter how many times you see this landscape, it stops you -- just stops you.
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RDavid Erickson 6 years ago
I have one of those 'new' smart phones; I actually had a flip phone for years. The answer to the question is still the same. The phone is turned OFF unless "I" want to use it - which is practically never. In the 5 months I've had the new phone - I've made two phone calls and received none - mostly because only ONE person has the number - and they are usually with me. I've also never texted anyone - my fingers are too big and that stylis - oh - just forget it!
Steve Henderson (Post author) 6 years ago
I like this! You control the phone, as opposed to the phone controlling you. We have a "family" flip phone that we pass back and forth as needed, and like yours, it has a limited number of people who know the number. So unless there is a telemarketer calling (which is increasingly happening) we know that one of four other people are calling us.
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Savonnah Henderson 6 years ago
I wish more people would start to think this way! There is a time and a place for cell-phone usage, but not when it overpowers true conversations face to face.
Steve Henderson (Post author) 6 years ago
So true, Savonnah. I'm always intrigued to be at a restaurant and see a couple sitting across from one another, both on their phones . . .
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Jim Lehmann 6 years ago
I like this 'She is alone with her thoughts, interrupted by nobody,..." People today of all ages have difficulty being alone as they constantly need contact and the phone bings and bongs to stroke their false sense of need. Yet by giving in to the phone, they lose the chance to seek out their inner soul thru reflection and understand who they truly are. A lost human art. Nice painting, ...accompanied by words that hit home to those of us who see
Steve Henderson (Post author) 6 years ago
Good words, Jim. Taking time to think, to ponder, to question and wonder -- this is, as you observe, a lost art. Some people, quite sadly, are afraid of quiet and silence, as if they know intrinsically they will discover things that will require even more quiet, silence, and thought to work through.
Load More Replies...
bposner images 6 years ago
I worked in the software industry for 40 years and watched this change take place as it was happening and while we were developing. Your image is simply beautiful, Steve. very well presented.
Steve Henderson (Post author) 6 years ago
Thank you for your kind comments. I imagine the changes you've seen, over 40 years of working in the technology industry, are pretty overwhelming.
Load More Replies... Dorothy Berry-Lound 6 years ago
Great post. I was in an airport departure lounge recently and there were no seats, we were all standing like sardines. It was a little claustrophobic and uncomfortable and I looked to speak to someone near me to say something to and every single person near me was on their mobile texting or reading emails. The art of conversation has been lost along with the art of silence and we need to find them and get them back in action!
Steve Henderson (Post author) 6 years ago
I see that, too, Dorothy -- it almost looks like a scene from a sci-fi story -- people with their heads down, hands moving, eyes glazed. Interestingly, my wife mentions that when she is a public place, knitting, people come up to her and start to talk -- some of them even leave their phones to do this.
Load More Replies... Dora Hathazi Mendes 6 years ago
Great thoughts Steve and wonderful painting! Reminds me my unforgettable experience when I sat at Canyionlands looking to the scene front of me..
Steve Henderson (Post author) 6 years ago
Thank you, Dora. It is an unforgettable experience, isn't it? No matter how many times you see this landscape, it stops you -- just stops you.
Load More Replies... RDavid Erickson 6 years ago
I have one of those 'new' smart phones; I actually had a flip phone for years. The answer to the question is still the same. The phone is turned OFF unless "I" want to use it - which is practically never. In the 5 months I've had the new phone - I've made two phone calls and received none - mostly because only ONE person has the number - and they are usually with me. I've also never texted anyone - my fingers are too big and that stylis - oh - just forget it!
Steve Henderson (Post author) 6 years ago
I like this! You control the phone, as opposed to the phone controlling you. We have a "family" flip phone that we pass back and forth as needed, and like yours, it has a limited number of people who know the number. So unless there is a telemarketer calling (which is increasingly happening) we know that one of four other people are calling us.
Load More Replies... Savonnah Henderson 6 years ago
I wish more people would start to think this way! There is a time and a place for cell-phone usage, but not when it overpowers true conversations face to face.
Steve Henderson (Post author) 6 years ago
So true, Savonnah. I'm always intrigued to be at a restaurant and see a couple sitting across from one another, both on their phones . . .
Load More Replies... Jim Lehmann 6 years ago
I like this 'She is alone with her thoughts, interrupted by nobody,..." People today of all ages have difficulty being alone as they constantly need contact and the phone bings and bongs to stroke their false sense of need. Yet by giving in to the phone, they lose the chance to seek out their inner soul thru reflection and understand who they truly are. A lost human art. Nice painting, ...accompanied by words that hit home to those of us who see
Steve Henderson (Post author) 6 years ago
Good words, Jim. Taking time to think, to ponder, to question and wonder -- this is, as you observe, a lost art. Some people, quite sadly, are afraid of quiet and silence, as if they know intrinsically they will discover things that will require even more quiet, silence, and thought to work through.
Load More Replies... bposner images 6 years ago
I worked in the software industry for 40 years and watched this change take place as it was happening and while we were developing. Your image is simply beautiful, Steve. very well presented.
Steve Henderson (Post author) 6 years ago
Thank you for your kind comments. I imagine the changes you've seen, over 40 years of working in the technology industry, are pretty overwhelming.
Load More Replies...
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