Four Boys at the Bus Stop Broke My Heart
And there are many more like them.
Last Monday, when I was returning home, I noticed four young boys on a bus stop doing nothing. And they broke my heart.
I went downtown to spend some time with a few of my friends and then buy a gift for my mom (as I earned a very handsome amount of money from writing and decided to buy my mom a brand new gold necklace).
It was nearly dusk, and the outside world was slowly surrendering itself into the mysterious darkness that only night can offer (if you minus the light pollution).
And I was on my way back home.
While I was waiting for the bus at a bus stop, something caught my eye. I turned right, and there it was. Four young boys, sitting next to each other in complete silence. They were not talking or making any sound. They were in a pensive mood doing nothing. So, I became a little curious. Because at their age, when we were together, my friends and I were always talkative and vocal about almost anything. But these guys were surprisingly silent.
Out of curiosity, I stepped ahead a little and noticed that all of the four boys were busy with their smartphones. They completely submerged themselves into something virtual forgetting their physical existence.
I thought it was just momentary. Maybe they were taking a break after having a stormy conversation or something. But as the bus was very late and I had to wait for almost 20 minutes, I realized that their smartphones had taken complete control of themselves as they were playing a multiplayer game.
They were there — but not actually there. Their physical existence seemed like a big fat lie.
When I got onto the bus, and the bus was slowly moving forward, I looked at them one last time. But nothing changed; four friends — not talking to each other as before yet sitting closely — playing some stupid multiplayer games.
I really feel sorry for this stupid generation, the generation that wants to live in the metaverse in the name of connectivity yet fails to connect to the person sitting next to them.
I am 32, and I witnessed the transition from real to virtual. I know how it feels to actually make friends, talk to them, make silly jokes, eat, play, learn, and grow together.
And of course, I have also seen how apps like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter changed me, my friends, and others over time. No matter how much I try, I cannot go back to those lovely apps-less days. And why should I…? Because all these social apps have made our life easy and fast, right? These apps are now the livelihood of millions of people all across the globe as well. Who wants to go back now?
But at the same time, I do think about the young ones who only know the attention-robbing apps or games and immerse themselves in them, having no idea how it feels like to get disconnected from them and be free.
I know both, and that’s why I always tell my family members (especially the young ones) not to bring phones to the dinner table. But alas! Now it only makes me an old-fashioned man.
What I want to convey is that we hardly realize how important our attention is and how crucial it is to feel each other’s presence, connect with them, and make great memories. But the sooner we realize and take control of ourselves, the better.
Remember we should control the devices we use and it should never be otherwise. And when you are with your friends or family, hide your stupid device in your pocket and enjoy the moment.
Thank you for reading.
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