Saw this article in the New York Times the other day about posture and self esteem. You know how so many people are hunched over their mobile devices. Yeah—it’s pathetic. And, it might be destroying your posture, too.
But the NYT article goes a bit further. It’s kind of like when you smile you feel better. The physical action produces some mental reaction. Similarly, according to this article, the slumped shoulder body language affects you. It doesn’t surprise me.
Some of the comments mentioned that books have been around a long time and aren’t similarly condemned, but books aren’t as addictive and mind-numbing and pervasive as these smart phones are.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the technology and I’ll dictate stuff to Siri and use voice commands like a pro. I’ll ask, “Is it going to rain today?” before deciding whether I park outside or inside the structure. Or I’ll ask Siri to read me the latest email from my wife. But I’m not the kind of guy who gets in line and whips out the phone. I’m not the kind of guy who walks and texts.
We live in a sedentary world and our posture is changing because of it. We live most of our lives indoors. We’re pretty unnatural people. It’s probably messing with us. Certainly, the way we use our smart phones is indicative of almost zero self-control.
What do you think? Do you use your phone…or does it use you?