>The first time I saw a dystopian situation of a mass of people all with their faces on smartphones was last year in Japan, every time I took the metro everyone, as if it were an unwritten rule, from when they got on until they got off did nothing but stare at their phone.

Whatever world the author looking to return to, presumed lost due to technology, where people were present and engaged in a crowded social situation, never existed.

I've spent a cumulative total of four years in Japan, most in the 90s. Here is a video that demonstrates the typical pre-smartphone Tokyo metro riding experience, which replicates my memories precisely: https://youtu.be/hyK3-w1TIyg?si=uXzm0G5pUvrvkw78&t=270

Based on the other blog posts it appears the author is too young to remember a time before smartphones.

I want to assure them that smartphones are much better than the alternative, one of which was (having forgotten my book) sitting staring at the seconds hand on my dive watch, spinning the bezel over and over again until realizing that the barely-audible clicking may be disturbing another passengers, and then stopping and just staring at my shoes for 30 or so more minutes.

Not realistic in today's world. Heck, I can't even park without an app! I'm not saying that's good, it's not, but I'm not in control of it, either.

The way I "protect" myself from my phone is by not have any social media apps installed on my phone. None. Nada. Zilch.

The only "time waster" I have installed on my phone is a news feed reader and a couple of mindless games one can enjoy while passing away time (like waiting at the doctor or dentist office).

The upshot of this approach? I don't have to buy the latest-and-greatest phone, and I can make do with it for several years before having to replace it.

Good for you.