Cellphones Reduce Impatience

We blame cellphones for everything, but most of it is justified. Take restaurant mistakes for example. We order medium rare T-bone, the waiter brings well done because the chef was on his phone.

Accidents. Drivers were texting or taking selfies. U.S. teen murderers. They follow hate websites and chat rooms. We blame cellphones for almost everything, including being born short or tall or, born white or black.

But cellphones have some good points. One of them is waiting in line. We used to get irritated with standing for a long time because the line was moving like a tortoise. Strangers even spoke to strangers: What’s keeping them?

Cellphones have reduced that impatience, neutralized time. In 2021, we waited patiently in line to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. Once we were cleared, we proceeded to the next one for the actual needle. No problem, phones kept us company.

We are better persons now. Waiting in line is not a hassle. It is an opportunity. We wait patiently because long lines afford us the time, to wander in time and space, let our imagination run wild. I could fly to Cape Town one day to see where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean.

We wait patiently with our phones, until a dental assistant punctures the imagination and says: You’re next. This way please.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.