Time.....

[mdehners]

There are many things about the world today that make me glad I'm at the arse-end of my lifespan. One is the Culture of Noise.
I've NEVER been afraid of Silence. I've, with the exception of adolescence felt the need to "Fill Up the Silence". I can leave the TV, radio and stereo off if I'm not actively interacting with it/them. I can even let a phone ring without answering or even switching it to some sort of recording/accounting device/program.
This world of folks who can't even walk without talking, texting or even just listening to their devices is Alien to me. While I admit sometimes I'll listen to my Ipod on my AM walk, I'm more likely to just listen to the World Itself. It used to be that I'd at least say "Hello" to those I'd run into but for the most part, they are in their own Chattering World and actually take it as an inconvienience to say "Hi!" back! I've learned to not to bother with...which nowadays is everyone except a policeman and an Elderly lady whose ambulations sometimes coincide with mine.
I admit not understanding the allure of videogames. I've played a few but find most of them boring or annoying. The idea of spending hrs doing something that is nothing more than Mental Masturbation"(my term for actions that produces nothing Real Mentally, Physically o Spiritually). Basically, the only time I will is if I'm stuck waiting somewhere and don't have a book that I haven't read upteen times before...and wil have no problem stopping, something a lot of folks have. I know 'cause I've been stuck behind them in lines and made late while they finished ____, even though ALL have a pause button.
I think I'll postpone my next Incarnation for either the next Ironage or the 1st Interplanetary/Interstellar(if Humanity ever does the latter....which I doubt now). Luckly, the former probably'll be within the next century or so;>!
Cheers,
Pat

Comments

[ngakmafaery]

...I have to agree with the noise and sheer inablility of people to stand still, or sit still. and just relax or just not create noise and tension and stress...

[weofodthignen]

Yeah. This was always a human trait, and I hate being stuck in a queue without something to read, partly because I don't have a smartphone and in any case my loathing of videogames is a level above yours. But the clangor of other people's self-distraction is now at the level where it makes me wish I could avoid people. They come into the store and wander around glued to their phones, frequently leaving without ever interacting with me - or only to shush me when I greet them. (Or they fix me with a steely gaze and demand I tell them how I am or how my night is or give them data on how well the store is doing so that they can come back and rob us, all of which amount to demands to be entertained.) On the bus there is a constant din from people's phones and games added to the more or less drunken conversations that there always were. The only noise that used to annoy me that I get less of nowadays is the pocket change jingling. The gum-cracking continues.

M

[mdehners]

Day before yesterday I'm backing out of a parking place(after checking both ways....TWICE). It makes that Beep-Beep thing when backing up. All of a sudden an eejit texting away walks into the path. I slam on the brakes and said eejit looks up, gives me a dirty look and goes back to walking and texting. Oh, for one of those Apartied-era corporate cars with built in armament;>!
Cheers,
Pat

[mdehners]

It's just Alien to me the need to be surrounded by Noise. Chuck's not as bad as a lot of folks but he will leave his TV on while doing other stuff. I will, however turn on the stereo and put on some Dance music to make housecleaning go faster. Beyond that, I prefer QUIET.
Cheers,
Pat(who just finished the newest book in the "Bill the Vampire" Universe, 'Bigfoot Hunters' in a room with nothing louder than the sound of air coming through the airvents;>)