Commenters are criticizing the man for knowing that cell phones exist and for being surprised by it.

I bought smartphones before the iPhone.

I stood in line for four hours to buy the first iPhone (never again).

I still use an iPhone.

Yet, I am regularly surprised by how often everyone is looking at their phones.

(Context: I live in a rural area outside a metro area and don’t go there often, except for work.)

When their kid is at a crowded city park, the parent is glued to their phone.

When their kid is performing, the parent is glued to their phone, their thumb scrolling.

During any break from activity, they whip out their phones.

I used to be skeptical about the claim that devices contribute to societal brain rot through dopamine hits. However, the more I pay attention, the more I notice it. Even though I'm quite disciplined, I still catch myself instinctively pulling out my phone.

I can easily see this man having that sincere thought. You know smartphones exist, but you have no idea how much they are used.

I truly believe we are at a stage where one could argue that smartphones qualify as cybernetics.

1. Insofar as no apps on phone, minimal social media usage at all, and willful focus on a return to my 70s/80s roots where I embrace active boredom doing nothing.