What's been lost

[Philthy]

I don't have a smartphone, or any desire for one. If I go all day (or weekend) without checking personal email, that's absolutely fine, no sleep lost. I recognise there are some advantages, e.g. securing a last minute hotel room and getting directions to it, that has been hugely helpful in the past. Generally though, not for me.
As an observer, it's almost pointless meeting for a drink with friends these days as I know the phone will always take priority and require checking at (very) regular intervals. I don't always have the patience for it. Driving around town I'm regularly in the vicinity of Brighton Uni; the kids just wander along glued to a handheld, oblivious of where pavements end and roads begin. They never look up never mind right or left before crossing, don't slow down, just keep marching along. Phone zombies basically.

What's being lost? Common sense. Particularly for the younger generation, over-reliance on technology. The ability to think for oneself, rationalise, be objective, not take things at face value, these notions are becoming obsolete. Along with being able to hold a different opinion, make a joke, offer helpful criticism. Skins must be paper thin these days. Free speech now comes at a price.

[Jimothy1275]

There used to be a cinema in Bletchley when I was a kid, The Studio, I remember my mum and dad taking us there to see ET when it came out. Then they built the cinema complex in Central Milton Keynes (the first multi screen cinema in the uk) and that pretty much killed the small independents. It was demolished and is now an office building.

[Two_Sheds]

I stopped going the cinema when I couldn’t hear the film over people’s talking and munching. I used to love our indie picture houses (Brighton and Norwich)