4 minute read
Editor’s Note
Americans tap, type and swipe smartphones more than 2,600 times a day, on average. To Phub Is Human
From social media to reinvention to naming a whole new mega-city, we kick off 2018 with hope.
FORGIVE ME, FRIENDS, for I have phubbed. A term I just learned after reading Kasia Pawlowska’s article on how social media has changed the way we relate to each other. Phubbing is a word referring to snubbing a real live person to shift focus to our phones. Of course, even though we may phub with no intent to offend, there is no doubt the habit has caught on. According to a recent study by Dscout as reported in USA Today, “Americans tap, type and swipe smartphones more than 2,600 times a day, on average.” High users come in at over 5,000 taps or swipes per day. Upon reading about this, I first thought, “Those people are so annoying,” then “Uh oh, my kids do this” and then the truth hit: “Oh sh*t that’s me.” Not only is it dangerous (just Google “texting walking deaths”), but our phones have created an entirely new way of being with a group of people. If I dig deeper, phubbing might have had something to do with the demise of my 20-year marriage. “Ding!” Wait, I just got a text and I need to check my phone; this just might be the message that changes my life.
Nope, it’s my daughter asking me to transfer money to her account. Was that a justified phub? In the aforementioned USA Today article Anderson Cooper was tasked with ignoring the notifications on his phone and even the silver-haired king of cool couldn’t resist those pings and dings without showing signs of anxiety.
According to a PEW researcher, 70 percent of us check our phones even when there isn’t a ding or ping. If Anderson Cooper and 70 percent of us can’t resist the lure of handheld digital devices, who can? Is it possible to reverse this behavior? Pawlowska’s two-part article addresses some of these questions.
This issue has a theme of renewal, and in that spirit, I loved reading Calin Van Paris’ article on new career beginnings, featuring four people in our community. I was especially pleased to read Pete Scott’s journey to becoming a ferryboat captain. I’ve known Scott since we were on the UC Berkeley Sailing team a couple years (or decades) ago. He has been sailing on the San Francisco Bay his entire life and spent some time teaching swimming at the Tiburon Peninsula Club; I can’t imagine a more trustworthy captain on any boat. If you happen to see him on your commute please give him a salute and an “aye aye.” Also described in this story is Allison Quistgard-Scherer’s courageous metamorphosis from high-tech exec to aesthetician. We met Quistgard-Scherer when she came into the office to pitch her wellness blog. She is now part of our online team, writing about all things health and beauty. In fact, we liked her piece on pomegranates so much, we brought it to print in this month’s Flavor department.
Another new development happens in Q&A, where we’ve turned the tables on occasional contributor Marc Hershon to ask about his successful career as a namer. Most recently, he was part of a team that named a new Saudi mega-city, NEOM (neo means new and the M is for Mohammed). Please go online to read the entire interview.
Under new ownership and with New Year’s goals set, we are looking forward to a productive and fulfilling 2018. But most important, I’d like to take a moment to thank you for your time and attention to our magazine. As always, we love to hear from you; please send any feedback to editorial@marinmagazine. com or share on our social media channels.
Mimi Towle, Editor
— James E. Demmert Founder – Managing Partner
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