I just don’t get it. Everywhere I go in downtown Chicago I see people texting while walking. Head down, both hands on a smartphone with thumbs busily peck peck pecking away at a keyboard. These public text maniacs are totally oblivious to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. It’s truly a wonder I haven’t seen any of these textomaniacs killed yet.
Just a couple of days ago I was descending a metal staircase from upper Wacker Drive to the Columbus bridge below while a textually active woman was ascending said staircase and never once lifted her head from her smartphone screen. One slip and she could have easily plummeted to her death.
I cannot help but wonder what is so important or engaging to risk so much? I guess people just don’t think about this at all. Maybe the fear of being alone is so great that any risk to avoid such a fate, even for a few minutes, is worth it. Ironically, I often hit the streets to get out and away from people for a bit.
It’s interesting to note that a number of the panhandlers I encounter now have computer printed signs beseeching passersby for aid. So many people are talking on cell phones, listening to iPods, and texting, that verbal cries for help fall on deaf ears. Though I find myself wondering a bit about where these guys are getting their signs printed. It’s as if hash tags suddenly popped up in real life in a nice Sans Serif font.