Blog Staff Two: Well, I think this is a tricky one. Mostly because at first glance, that sounds reasonable. But then... what next? "Stop talking and walking"? Probably not, but I don't like where it's going. Call me crazy, but I'm a big fan of a completely unrestricted walking environment on campus. I mean, it's walking! What's the worst danger that a chaotic pedestrian poses? Probably going to trip, run into a wall, tree, and probably another person. It's those kinds of run-ins that spark interaction, and has been the title activity of several romantic comedy movies.
Blog Staff Three: It's interesting that people actually try to steer themselves through texting on the phone. If we were an alien visitor, we would probably assume that was their little remote control they drive themselves with. As an alien we would probably also assume they were related to lemmings and would run themselves off the edge of a cliff judging by the way they steered themselves with their little remote controls.
Blog Staff Four: I agree, but this applies to skateboarders and cyclists as well. Everyone needs to pay more attention to where they're going and take some responsibility for their personal safety. This is a beautiful campus, why not put the phone away and enjoy the view? Or, take the headphones off and listen to what's going on around you? There's more to life than being plugged in 24/7.
Blog Staff Five: I find myself perplexed by our fetish for the cellphone. Texting removes you from the current moment and perpetuates a culture where direct conversation ceases to exist. Now that I've expressed my radical distaste for technology, let me address the issue of texting and walking. People instantly grab their phones in vulnerable moments, it somehow validates their position in that space. I think some people may benefit if they walked between buildings without texting random thoughts. Try pretending that your parents don't pay your texting bill, and consider a world where you must say hello or make eye contact as you pass your fellow man. It may be scary, but who knows, you might meet someone special, in need, or just down right cute.
Blog Staff Six: This is a tricky issue, on account of the fact that it appears (scarily) to be completely impossible to keep people from texting and driving. People are never going to be willing to stop texting while doing other commuting activities, and so it becomes the responsibility of the cyclist or those around the texters to be especially alert when commuting. Sorry!
I would agree with you, Blog Staff Six, but I do think that some of the blame for bicycle accidents does lie in texting pedestrians. Blog Staff Two, I've seen several "unrestricted pedestrians," unaware of their surroundings completely cut in front of cyclists, longboarders, and even cars. The problem I have with this whole DIRC campaign is that it assumes all the responsibility for on-campus accidents needs to be taken on by cyclists. Oftentimes they're minding their own business on a walking path or even in the bike lane, when an inconsiderate, self-centered pedestrian cuts them off. I have seen plenty of circumstances where it is reckless biking, but I think pedestrians need to shoulder some of the burden as well. What about a DIRCS and DIPS (Disrespectful, Inconsiderate Pedestrians) campaign?
ReplyDeleteBlog Staff Six = False. Each person needs to be accountable for there actions = Yes. Any person texting while walking does not take priority over others. The texter in question should have the ability to text and walk with a head up, or a guide dog while navigating campus.
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