Smartphone Zombies Defined

Smartphone zombies refer to people, irrespective of age and gender ... who have the proclivity to stare at their cell phones ... and use them while walking. They can't live without their phones and even though they are aware that what they are doing is dangerous that doesn't stop them from doing what they are accustomed to doing.  

It becomes a habit that once the phone rings ... or a message is received these people will respond to it ... ora mismo ... and they are clueless whether it is a red or green light ... whether the traffic was busy or slow ... or there was a traffic jam or there was road rage nearby. 

They eyeball their phones without any regard for any hint of losing their balance in a manhole... tripping in a fire hydrant ... slipping in a pool of water in a pothole ... or making a dent at a Mercedes Benz gliding leisurely in a busy street manned by "lowbies" (a driver who run 1 mile per hour) or a "Sunday driver (inexperienced drivers mostly seniors who only come out every Sunday because the traffic is slow). 

Yesterday, I was busy observing the way people behave in front of SM in Iloilo (one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city) a group of San Ag High School students had their eyes glued to their phones as they sashayed in their chequered uniforms unmindful of honks and beeps from speeding jeepneys and buses. 

Another medical student discussed John Hilario's, Kim Chiu's, and Ion Perez's segments in Magpasikat 2023 ... and how he agreed with the judge's decision ... and how it changed his perspective on the responsible use of his cellphone, I tell you honestly ... you failed dear Doctor Wannabee in your promise ... as he was focused more on his phone than his safety ... as he weaves around his way head on a motorcycle ... almost hitting the peanut vendor in the periphery.

These cellphone enthusiasts and addicts are turning progressive cities like Iloilo, Cebu, and Manila into more and more high-risk disaster relief areas where zombified pedestrians appear to be willing volunteers to be a part of hit-and-run demography and statistics.

Smartphone zombies are a phenomenon that has become prevalent in many cities everywhere. Many pedestrians choose to interact with their phones as they walk around in cities, despite their knowledge that their love relationship with their phones is reckless and fraught with danger. 

Their tendency to engage in virtual social interactions while walking can result in dangerous traffic incidents and accidents. Virtual communication acts as an anodyne for homesickness and long-distance relationships ... or answering urgent messages and emergencies but what good will that do if we sideline and ignore the need for our safety and to traverse safely ... or you land in the nearest emergency room.

Recent studies believe that smartphone zombies do what they do ... and engage in staring at their phones in a hypnotic state ... came up with one reason why they continue their risky behavior. It all sums up to FOMO ... or Fear Of Missing Out. Missing out what ... gossip... news ... connections ... relations?

Let us discuss that deeply in our next posts. Meanwhile, let us ask the Philippine government to do something about walking cellphone zombies.  They have been talking about that in the USA, Korea, Japan, and Europe for a long time ago ... and psychologists are making a study of this phenomenon ... I still have to hear any Filipino talking about it and making Smartphone zombies the focus of their advocacy ...  mukhang nahuhuli na naman tayo sa balita.