On some level - I agree with you. I do think people (while in groups) should not spend a bunch of time on their phone. To me, it's more of a courtesy thing.
But surely, at some point in the past after books became portable, someone was shouting and complaining about all these people with their heads buried in books! When papa came home from work he used to talk to us! But now he reads! Oh no!
What I'm trying to say is this: the world is constantly changing.
I don't think that's the case. There always have been boring people and there always will be boring people. It's now easier to connect with others making it easier to find boring people who may not appear that way immediately. Seeing highlights of someone's life on Facebook doesn't mean they're interesting, it's just one instance of their life. Talking with someone in person it's easier to gain insight to who they are and what they really enjoy.
I wouldn't say any of my friends have become boring due to phones and tablets. Sure, they get distracted more easily, but that doesn't mean their personality has changed.
Not surprising when their phones and the apps on them have millions of man-hours of work put into making them interesting.
What is surprising (at least to me, non-smartphone-owner) is that it's seems to be considered socially acceptable to put real people on a level playing field with them.
Agreed. In fact, it's changing in 2 ways. Apple, where life is simple or Google, where you live in san francisco and hang out in coffee shops. Devices are supposed to aid you in your lifestyle, but it also seems like they're providing a better reason to conform to theirs.
But surely, at some point in the past after books became portable, someone was shouting and complaining about all these people with their heads buried in books! When papa came home from work he used to talk to us! But now he reads! Oh no!
What I'm trying to say is this: the world is constantly changing.