Do you spend more time looking at screens than you do looking into others' eyes?

Inspired by my dear colleague Michelle Witte's recent post about her heroic battle with phone addiction, I thought I would once again share this verse segment.

I've often used this along with the Banksy graphic as part of my spoken word closing at a conference - it works best at events on #wellbeing, #workplacementalhealth or #humanconnection. The original version dates back to at least 2015 but I rework it from time to time.

I hope you enjoy and heed it's message to spend less time looking at screens and more time into people's eyes.

Some say embrace the digital disruption

I fear it's more like digital corruption

What's happened to my span of attention?

Not to mention my powers of retention ?

Yes it may help us as we work

But why's it so rare to just sit down and talk?

You remember, old school, face to face

The way it used to be for the human race

Look what’s happened to the state of the nation

The U.K. now has a minister of social isolation. 

Because amidst our technology fixation

Real human contact's become an aberration. 

Human plus smartphone is the new mutation 

Turning it off a form of deprivation

So think about the smartphone in your hand

It only cost you about a grand

It's so powerful, so seductive , so light

The screen it flickers - oh so bright

It's how I keep all my memories, connect with friends. 

I'm sure they'll all love me to the end

Who are they all you ask, who?

To tell the truth I don't have a clue

And every time there’s an alert on your screen

You get a little kick of dopamine

You become addicted - it’s really a drug

It’s designed that way – it’s a feature not a bug

It connects you to a world of news

But it can also lead you to the blues

Unlimited Data you'll gain but your soul you'll lose

You can turn it off you know, if you choose. 

So wonder - amongst all this networked wealth

What's the toll on your mental health?

Try putting the phone to one side

Take a deep breath. Go play outside. 

Working all hours hell for leather

Ask yourself is this a high speed connection or is it a tether?

We live in a world of infinite connection

Why then do I feel such a lack of direction

Like I'm naked with no protection

Alone craving contact, some genuine affection?

When did I last give anyone my undivided attention?

So please I beg you, step away from that screen

And reflect on the lesson of Banksy's little scene. 

If you ever find yourself in a situation like this

Forget the email the text, the tweet, the pin, the post the Tik the Tok you just can’t miss

And focus instead on the one you are about to kiss