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Interesting point that it was (selon notre Norman) an elderly 'I don't know what it's all about' concertgoer.
What particularly interests me (as someone who only uses a mobile to contact younger members of the family by texting because they never check their emails) is how swiftly human beings have become addicted (probably in a serious, clinical sense) to their phones. Slaves even. You don't have to take it with you everywhere you go just in case you need it. Yes, yes, I know you've discovered uses that you never dreamed of . If you don't understand the technology enough to know you have a preset alarm, just get a cheap, simple phone, not a smartphone (it's smarter than you - that's your problem). And don't take it out with you unless you think YOU will need it. Fer god's sake don't try and keep up with the smarty set ... ppphhhhh!!!!
And don't have it turned on when you're out to lunch with me ..........
It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
Hmm, a salutary lesson. As the delightful Ms. Bott tends to remind us at the start of broadcast concerts, it is not enough to merely silence one's mobile telephone. It must be completely switched off. Best bet is to temporarily remove the battery.
It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
And don't take it out with you unless you think YOU will need it.
At the same time, you don't always know in advance whether or not you will need in, as it can be invaluable in the event of an unforeseen emergency.
Even though I need mine all the time for business reasons, it's rarely if ever on anything other than silent / vibrate mode.
The only exception recently was almost a horror which might have impacted upon many here. I was invited to a box for the Philharmonia Prom conducted by Salonen last summer. Work delayed me and as I pedalled to the hall, I needed to hear and take a call which duly happened (I stopped to take the call - for the cycling safety vigilantes... ). But as I was late, I hastened on after and made it to the RAH with seconds to spare (orchestra on platform, Salonen not yet on, when I arrived). During the brisk Introduction of the 'Age of Gold' Suite I suddenly realised that I hadn't reset the phone and that if it went off, the world would hear my Bach C major Toccata BWV564 ring tone. The quiet slow second movement was torture. I couldn't get from the corner of the box to where my jacket was, without causing disturbance.
When the Shostakovich finished and I could get to the phone, I muted it and collapsed with a glass of something...
Afterwards, I noticed that a call had come in....about 5 minutes after I had silenced it
"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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