Ah Noddy

My restless pen in today's print Herald Express. I spend far too much time watching a screen and that has started to worry me. My mobile phone is the main source of that screen time. I seldom use it as a phone, of course!

When I was a teenager time spent in a public library was a joy. I loved the colourful world and source of knowledge that those visits offered. Now I simply tap my phone and can source the most amazing facts instantly.

Wonderful though that is, there are dangers that might outweigh the apparent benefit. At a very basic level is the inevitable distraction. Last night I was crossing the busy seafront road in Paignton. To my left a man and lady clutching mobile phones, whilst also waiting to cross. ?

The road was clear and I started to cross. They were both concentrating on their mobile devices, but instinctively moved as I started to cross.

All was well, and it is likely that they did glance before crossing, however, the lack of full attention is a worry. These days, in my case, a lack of full attention is growing concern.

It is that lack of full attention that made me sell my little sports car a few weeks ago. The Westfield had been a source of fun for just over twenty years and was called Noddy. The name Noddy was a consequence of a sticker applied, many years ago, by my friendly mechanic. Pete kept Noddy in perfect running order.

I am not a car person and Noddy’s speed did not really matter. What did matter was the joy of driving a few inches off the floor with the clear blue sky high above!

The memory of driving that fun vehicle over Dartmoor on a sunny summer day is making me smile now. Sadly, my reactions have slowed and the need to react quickly had become a worry for this battered aspirant geriatric.

Even being a pedestrian in this fast-moving world, requires considerable concentration these days. Walking and using a mobile device is courting disaster. A few days ago, I watched a gaggle of students meandering through town and they were all holding mobile phones.

The immediate environment was, apparently, of little concern to them. Does that matter? I think that it does. Whilst it is good that world events can be shared in an instant, that dislocation from what is around you can be hugely unsettling.

The fact that you can be in visual contact with a friend on the far side of the world in real time is simply stunning. Until quite recently it was the stuff of science fiction.

During my student days, over fifty years ago, I spent a couple of summers working in the United States. Back then, my communication home was via a little blue aerogramme.

The aerogramme was a lightweight hand written letter that took three or four days to arrive home! These days we communicate in real time and that continues to thrill me.

There is, however, a dark side to that rapid communication. The spread of false news, half-truth, and manipulative political spin, is now self-evident. I do not have any clever answers or suggestions, but am concerned.

Watching what is happening many miles away on your mobile phone as you step out in front of a rapidly approaching truck, will be catastrophic.

Looking up and around you may keep you safe and help to keep the smile!

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