The Hong Kong Perceptions

What has happened to us? We used to be the strongest species of this planet. Not physically, but due the ability to cooperate and communicate. How is it possible, that we were defeated by our own invention? Smartphones, much smarter than us, otherwise it wouldn’t conquer our minds like it did. I remember how it was to commute publicly ten, fifteen years ago. We used to have mobile phones already, but only for calls or SMS. Today? I am sitting in Hong Kong‘s subway and realizing the far distance between us. All of us. In my close surrounding, twenty people, fourteen out of them are doing something with their smartphones. We lost the interest… to bashfully spy on each other, to flirt, to smile on each other without reason, curiously thinking about the others. Who is it, where are his/her steps going, what is the story behind, what color or smell he or she likes? Looking out of the window and seeing the world around, we don’t necessarily have to communicate, but… Instead, we blankly star into our smartphones, growing stupid socially. And in Hong Kong much more than in any other city I have seen in my last seven months of travel. Few times a day someone jumps on my sole from behind or bumps into my face, starring into their smartphones. We try to fill every empty time in our lifes, we desperately try to fill every second of our day too much. We try to fill but not necessarily fulfil. For what price. We don’t open and hold the door for someone else, we forgot to say hello and thank you, we don’t remember how to smile. Let’s be honest, this is not an Asian only issue.

I found my fun finally, I am looking at a small boy, putting out my tongue. Maybe two years old and not damaged by all this yet, he’s having his fun too. It’s the best subway fun I had in my last seven months of travelling. Kids are amazing! Before we turn them into another “smart-tech-zombies”.

Other than this, Hong Kong is a stunning city! I cannot stand crowds of people back at home, but here… I enjoy it. Thousands and thousands of people at every corner, flashlights, unbelievable system which is working (for example subway – you don’t wait for it, it comes all the time). The best view of last weeks and months, a city with touching history influenced by the British colonization and the Japanese terror. Beautiful girls, I haven’t seen something like this anywhere else in Asia. English without issues. Skyscrapers so high that they could easily touch the sky. Exotic and multicultural environment.

Ok, let me be honest, all of this and much more I am noting down into my smartphone, while I am returning from a running race. Yes, I got adapted, I am not so much different. Unfortunately. Perhaps it’s the time to move on. I am turning off my phone and smile.

Taiwan, I look forward so much!