This is a narration written, directed and performed by Gary Turk which encourages people of social media to simply look up and place their tools down for more meaningful life experiences.  It doesn’t discourage the total use of social media just giving it a break and therefore having a mixture of experiences which include face to face experiences.  Experiences that you can’t edit can’t make perfect.

What we like

• Like anything the overuse of a tool of any kind can obscure the benefits of the tool itself.  This narration simply reminds us of what is possible if you just take a break
• What will you find if you actually just strike up a conversation with someone?

Mind experience

• The photograph is showing the moments leading up to the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace in London, England.  When there is something to view that captures our attention we tend to focus on it.   If we take a hint from the narration, what are we missing when we are captured daily with social media?  One day I was standing on the train and a man of 87 years old motioned for me to sit next to him.  He mentioned a few observations of what he saw on the train and I agreed with him.  I could have continued to sit in silence but decided to ask him if he had anything special planned for the day.  He responded he was taking the ferry to Manly.  To my surprise it was where I was also travelling to.  We made our way together and spoke for about 45 minutes.  He told me highlights of his life and he even sang a Japanese song that he learnt while living over there.  Not bad he said for a 87 year old memory!  It was a treasured moment.  He was so happy and this all happened because we made a choice to look up, make eye contact and enjoy the experience.  This is just one of many experiences you could find yourself in if you have the courage to look up and make a difference

To think about

• We are at our most happy with an experience we share
  but is it the same if no one is there
  Be there for you friends, and they’ll be there too
  but no one will be, if a group message will do
• So when you’re in public and you start to feel alone
  put your hands behind your head and step away from the phone
  You don’t need to stare at your menu or at your contact list
  just talk to one another, and learn to co-exist
• So look up from your phone shut down that display
  take in your surroundings and make the most of today
  Just one real connection is all it can take
  to show you the difference that being there can make

Map the mind feature’s birthplace
Map the photograph location