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.

Questions That Have Answers

Question: Is there any word in the English dictionary ... that when it is pronounced RIGHT ... it will be WRONG. And when pronounced WRONG ... is RIGHT?

Answer: WRONG ... come and think of it!

Abraham's One Liners

 

*MAKINIG MABUTI* HUWAG MONG HANAPIN LANG ANG MALI NG IBA! | Homily by Fr...

Pageant Result: Man of The Year 2023

 

Footprints

 

Footprints In The Sand - What It Means

 

What is the parable of footprints in the sand?

It tells us the story of a set of footprints in the sand ... it started with two ... and then later... it became one. And why is that?

At times of trials and tribulations ... of hopelessness and despair ... when everything seemed abysmal and pointless ... you will see only one footprint.  That was the time God was carrying you ... so those footprints you see are HIS.  So don't you ever think that God has abandoned you? You were not ALONE for crying out loud. God was with you the whole time.

Many people question why God allows us to suffer, and they don't feel His presence in their difficult and trying times. Many of them try to search for answers "Natutulog ba ang Diyos ... was a common complaint.   Does He intend to play deaf to what we implore or plead ... and has He turned blind to what we beseech for?

Some had already met dead-ends at their prayer deadlines ... and they felt their petitions and supplications seemed futile and inutile. When the storm rages ... their faith fails ... and their patience nose dives to the lowest depths.

Here's the good news! The one set of footprints in the sand, instead of two meant ... that God had not raised the white flag of defeat to you and your situation. The fact of the matter was ... He was hand-carrying you full-time and has not deserted and forsaken you.

So when the going gets tough ... God has kept everything going in your direction.  Pray more ... have more faith ... and be patient because the end of your problem will happen in God's clockwork... or in God's perfect time.

God's perfect timing does two things: It grows our faith as we are forced to wait and trust in God ... and it makes certain that He, and He alone gets the glory and praise for pulling us through.

"My times are in Your hands ..." Psalm 31:15. At the right time, God will provide your need.