In a sense, we are living in a technology-dependent world. Some may think that people today are literally incapable of being apart from their cell phones. In settings such as museums, concert venues, and galleries, our attachment to our electronic devices becomes especially pronounced. Consequently, some organizations are going so far as to ban cell phones from specific environments, forcing the focus to be on the present, rather than the digital.

I recently attended a concert where the band requested that all cell phones be turned off during the show. This request is not uncommon; having been at other performances of this group, I knew that cell phone usage was frowned upon. However, security guards at this particular venue actually required us to put electronic devices in other locations, inhibiting us from even bringing them into the show. While I was initially somewhat surprised that such stringent regulations were being exercised, I came to understand the reasoning behind them.

When the audience of a concert is collectively engrossed in their respective cell phones, something crucial is lost. Sharing music is about experiencing something beautiful together, as a unified group. In recent years, electronic devices have somewhat detracted from the profundity of the concert experience, leaving many audience members focused more on filming the show than actually observing the very band they came to see.

“Leaving phones at home promotes social interaction… at certain events, bringing a phone is totally unnecessary,” said senior Garrett Perkins. If we were to simply refrain from bringing electronic devices to certain events, we could improve our understanding and appreciation of where we are.

While technology has provided us with limitless opportunities, it has also helped deprive us of certain things. We must strive to remember that, at some events, our cell phones are not compulsory, or even helpful. It would benefit us all to spend some time apart from our devices, if only for a few hours.