Our phones interfere with making meaningful memories because they pull us out of the moments we want to remember. When we are physically present but mentally somewhere else, we are not fully experiencing what is happening around us. During gatherings with friends or family, being on our phones takes us out of participating in that reality. Meaningful memories are formed when we are emotionally and socially engaged, not just when we are physically there, and phones rob us of that.
I understand wanting to preserve a memory, to show your kids or grandkids what life was like, but it has gone too far. A photo or video should be able to bring you back to the feeling of a moment, but if you spent that moment staring at a screen, there is no real feeling attached to it. I especially see this at concerts, where nearly everyone in the crowd has a phone up for most of the show. When you are focused on getting the right angle and making sure you are not singing too loudly so it does not interfere with the recording, you do not truly experience the concert. And if you ask yourself honestly, are you really going to watch that video back enough times to justify missing the moment entirely?
A photo or short video should not take more than a few minutes. Especially at a family gathering, where that may be the only time you get to spend together, being distracted takes away from that time and from the memories you could have actually made.
(not hating on people who do this, just think it has gotten out of hand ;))
