The curse of the mobile 'phone

Have you ever read any books about street photography? Do you take photographs in the street? Do you walk along a street/cross the road and know what is in front/behind/at the side of you?
On my last attempts at street photography in Central London, if I took pictures that included people, you were unlikely to see their faces, as they would be looking down at their phone. I am constantly amazed that these people manage to cross the road just looking up for a fraction of a second. What is it that is so important. If it were legal, I would not bother braking. For sure, no one needs to keep in contact with me 24/7 without it being live.
Some years ago, I used to be criticised for seeming to have my head in a book too much. Now it seems to me that if I am looking at other people or around me, I am a weirdo.

When I was a kid, it was not common to have a  GPO telephone at all. They were all landlines, and perceived as an expensive nice to have. We had one, because my father had the strange role of being on call if the burglar alarms went off where he was working - not that he could have done anything about it, but there it was, and I guess it meant, although I never found out, that someone else was paying for it. It was on a shelf quite high up, and it was not until I was about 10 that I could actually reach it, let alone use it. Occasionally, neighbours would come in and ask if they could use the phone. Life was conducted either by paper communication or live contacts.
Of course, I have a mobile telephone now, and would regret not having access. What started life as big devices in cars with aerials on the outside, then evolving to the transportable and then the brick, has now become a sub-postcard (who knows about sizing things according to postcard dimensions any more?) sliver and in London, if you have not got a phone in your hand or connected to another part of your anatomy, you are a social outcast: someone who is not networking.

The mobile phone has entered the dysfunctional world. I cannot even work out what people can spend all that time doing with their phone. Games are a waste of your life, and facebook is pernicious. One of the most distressing sights to me is seeing tables of diners in restaurants where all are looking at a phone screen rather than each other.

Are mobile phones cheap enough to be disposable items? Given the number that appear to be up for sale in gadget shops, it might seem so. However, I now learn that handset churn is diminishing and they are being kept for longer. But technology will advance, and when there is a new standard such as the forthcoming 5G or the appearance of a new iPhone, there will always be a rush to be the new adopter. With added value comes added desirability and that means that thieves are definitely interested in acquiring them. I cannot believe the way that (particularly women) flaunt their handsets as if they were a piece of detachable clothing. It should come as no surprise if they are grabbed by recidivists. What is stopping these people from putting them out of sight and using them discretely.
This last weekend, I went to the theatre to a play which boasted a couple of popular small screen icons popular with under 40's. By chance I was in a box, and it should not have surprised me that when I looked down on the audience, it was a sea of faces illuminated by screen glow which only faded after the acts had started. Similarly at a concert recently, my wife said that the audience were more intent on catching the performer with their phones than their eyes and ears.

Most mobile phone pictures (about 99%) are rubbish, especially selfies. I simply don't understand why users don't get this. Yes, the newer phones can take some great pictures when used as the manufacturers intend, but the new trend is a rush for the bottom: if I took it, it is a photograph, and it is art. Not.

Education: I used to know that!

Education is now dystopic, as it is difficult for those on the receiving end to understand where it is going or what the end result will be. "I am doing a course" is a favoured refrain of generation X and Millennials, but it misses the point that not doing the course doesn't mean you shouldn't know or don't know, or are not recognised as having knowledge.

I have a few things to rant about. The first one is the shortening of the school day, and everyones know that scholars are on the streets any time after 2pm. Whilst it may be true at school that there must be equality and diversity, in the real world competition and peer group selection are and always will be prevalent (without affirmative action, which is often an own goal). School kids need to get real, and realise that when they are seeking anything of value be it a job or a partner or home, it is a jungle out there and the better able will always win. Numeracy and literacy are a taught gift that will benefit you for the rest of your life. Saying that you are no good at maths, almost as a boast, cuts no ice. When you have been short changed and you don't even realise it, who is the winner? Literate letters of complaint are far more convincing than scrawled rubbish.
The list can go on for ever. I was talking to a friend this morning, and he has 40 years of experience of teaching maths. He said that whilst it was a good thing that every child now counts as a teacher pupil experience, dumbing down does no one any favours. We should aim high, and aspirational environments that encourage skills will eventually win over get rich quick mentalities or short termism.