Screens and Sky

Fireworks explode in a suburb of Boston on the eve of July 4, 2016, a national holiday.

    Facing fireworks is different than watching them.
    Two girls (in the left photo) sat on the roof of a pickup truck. Fireworks exploded in the sky. The girls ignored the extravaganza. Their eyes fixated on smartphones. Maybe they were texting, or visiting social media websites.
    The girls were tuned out to the reality in front of them. In a sense, they were even tuned out to each other.
    Nearby, an elderly couple (in the right photo) watched the fireworks. No smartphones in their hands. They were tuned in, to the fireworks and to each other.
    Watching fireworks is great family fun. Well, most of the time. Staring into screens diminishes the togetherness.
    Smartphones curtail family bonding.