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August 15, 2025 1 min

Ever find yourself in an elevator with strangers, all staring intently at your phone like it’s the latest episode of your favorite show? Well, I’ve been there too, and it got me thinking about something pretty profound: our phones may be keeping us entertained, but they're also robbing us of those little moments of connection that happen when we just look around. You know, those awkward pauses where you could compliment someone on their snazzy shoes or share a chuckle over an elevator mishap? We dive into why it’s easier to hide behind our screens than to embrace those quiet seconds with other humans. Spoiler alert: sometimes, those pauses are the best part! So, when was the last time you looked up instead of down? Let's chat about it!

Picture this: a cramped elevator filled with four people, all staring intently at their phones as if they’re the most riveting pages of a best-selling novel. We dive into the quirks of modern life where silence has become an awkward enemy and our smartphones are the shields we wield to avoid eye contact. In this lively discussion, we explore how our reliance on technology has transformed everyday moments into a series of missed connections. What happens in those quiet seconds when we choose the glow of our screens over the warmth of human interaction? Our host, James A. Brown, raises some thought-provoking questions about the humor, tension, and accidental friendships that slip through the cracks when we fail to look up. Can we reclaim those moments, or are we forever destined to navigate the world with our heads down? Join us as we dissect the art of being present, even in the most mundane of situations, and challenge ourselves to embrace the pauses that life throws our way.

Takeaways:

  • We often use our phones in awkward situations instead of engaging with those around us.
  • Avoiding eye contact has become a ritual; we pull out our phones like it's second nature.
  • Every moment spent on our phones is time we could have connected with others beside us.
  • What are we missing by looking down at our screens instead of up at life?
  • The pause in conversations can lead to unexpected connections and shared moments with strangers.
  • Next time you find yourself in an elevator, try looking up instead of down!

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Eyes down, minds elsewhere.
This is commentary from James A.
Brown.
I got in an elevator withthree other people and we all did
the same thing.
We pulled out our phones likewe had been trained for this moment.
And in a way, we have been.
Four humans in a small box,avoiding eye contact with the dedication

(00:23):
of a meditation practice, it'sbecome ritual.
The phone comes out notbecause we need it to, but because
it gives us something to hold,I guess.
Something to stare at and nodoubt, something to hide behind.
It's easier than sitting insilence with strangers, easier than
the awkward half smile, Easierthan the head nod.

(00:46):
Easier than just being there.
But I can't help but wonder,what are we skipping in those quiet
seconds?
The humor?
The tension?
The accidental connections?
The small chance to noticesomeone else's shoes or compliment
their hat or share a halfsecond when the doors don't close?

(01:06):
Right?
Phones make the pause go away.
And sadly, the pause at timesis the point.
So when was the last time youchose to look up instead of down?
Let me know in the commentsand check out more@jamesabrown.net
on that note, I'm James A.
Brown and as always, be well.
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