This morning, I had to move my car by 7 a.m. to avoid tickets or, worse, getting towed. Even though it was my day off, I had to wake up early to deal with it. Still, it gave me an opportunity to explore the city. After completing my usual morning routine, I set out. Driving down Central, I spotted a bagel store. The thought of hot tea with lemon and honey flooded my mind, so I decided to stop in.
The young man at the counter seemed approachable, so I struck up a conversation—something I enjoy doing. I asked if they were hiring. His answer was swift: “No.” His response piqued my curiosity, so I clarified my question. He assured me he understood and, after a brief pause, reiterated, “We are not hiring.”
I pressed further, asking, “How do you know? Are you the manager?” To his credit, he remained patient. If he’d been having a bad day, he could have easily brushed me off, but I’m old school. I enjoy these kinds of conversations.
He explained that they had recently let some people go and that business was slow. I joked about volunteering, just to keep myself busy. He laughed, and we chatted a bit more before I thanked him, collected my tea, and left.
As I walked out, I started thinking about the economy and unemployment. Just yesterday at work, I interacted with a young woman who clearly disliked her job but was doing it anyway. Economists call that underemployment. It seems the economy is struggling so much that even the bagel shop is feeling the effects.
I had been tempted to ask the cashier about their tips and how much they make on a good day. In America, tipping is a big deal, especially in food service, but I decided against prying too much.
The bigger point here isn’t about the bagel shop or the economy, it’s about human connection. We’ve lost touch with the simple act of communicating with one another. Just yesterday, I walked into a café at work and saw nearly everyone glued to their phones. No one was talking to each other or even looking up.
We’re a civilization in crisis. This addiction to our devices isn’t just changing how we interact, it’s making us easier to manipulate. These phones are feeding us a constant stream of real and fake information, blurring the lines of reality. It’s troubling to think about how easily we could be controlled when our attention is always being monetized.
Please consider this: nations used to go to war over resources like oil-they still do. However, the most valuable resource today is our attention. That’s why platforms like TikTok are facing bans in countries like the U.S. It has nothing to do with with what is being reported in the mainstream press. Disclaimer: I have never used TikTok, but I know people who do and are addicted to it. There was a young woman at my old job who was on TikTok throughout her shift at work. Her attention, just like everyone’s, is being cashed in on.
I left Facebook years ago for similar reasons. I wanted the freedom to walk around and think without being bombarded by distractions. Yet, I recognize that I still spend too much time on my phone reading, writing, and watching YouTube. That’s something I need to minimize.
So here’s my takeaway: however you choose to connect with other human beings, make sure you’re talking to people, especially when you have their attention. I acknowledge that some people just don't want to talk outside of their homes. That is fine, too. But when they do, look them in the eye, engage with them meaningfully and share the best of what it means to be humans. It’s the antidote to the isolation our devices and brave new world has created and a way to preserve our humanity and better yet, our sanity.
Your observant friend,
Ronnie Law
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