Comments on: Phil Maxwell’s Mobile Phone Zombies

By: Pam

Pam — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 11:25:11 +0000

Sat waiting for a bus for only twenty minutes. During this time I saw many people walk out into traffic whilst staring at their phones. Three were very close calls with drivers slamming on their brakes to avoid crushing them.
This trend has isolated people young and old. No one talks in coffee shops any longer, they stare into their phone texting invisible people. All the lonely people, we know now where they do come from.

By: Thomas Sherrard

Thomas Sherrard — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 19:00:52 +0000

The beautiful film of Sandra’s life was a real gift, I felt I knew her almost as her friends know her.
It was heartwarming. Thank you so much.

By: Ros

Ros — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 21:39:25 +0000

These are excellent photos and really and truly only a proportion of the people attached to their mobiles look zombified – some are very expressive and clearly engaged with the people they’re speaking to. Whether that’s a substitute for being engaged with the life of the street or whether they still are, or never were, I can’t tell. I wonder what the market traders think? Agree with Pauline above that people who talk through or over people serving them in shops or public places are a very poor show!

By: Pauline Taylor

Pauline Taylor — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 17:39:42 +0000

The bad manners attached to this trend is what gets me. An otherwise normal, or so it seemed at first, young American girl, who came into my shop yesterday, answered her mobile phone when it rang and wandered around with it clamped to her ear totally ignoring me. One sided conversations like this are very distracting when you are trying to work, as I was, but I suspect that they would be offended if someone like me complained. On the plus side I have noticed that very few people walking up and down the hill outside my shop are using a mobile phone these days whereas, not long ago, every other person had one clamped to their ear. Perhaps the novelty is wearing off or they have realised just how much it costs. One can but hope!!

By: Julian Bond

Julian Bond — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 15:32:50 +0000

“mobile phone zombies” or “Everyday Robots” (nods to Damon Albarn)

By: mark

mark — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 14:38:38 +0000

Love that turn of phrase – ‘mobile phone zombies’ ! 😉

By: Valerie-Jael

Valerie-Jael — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:14:48 +0000

Great pictures, and a sad trend that people all live in their own little bubbles and miss what is going on around them. It seems to be the same all over the world. Valerie

By: Rupert Neil Bumfrey (@rupertbu)

Rupert Neil Bumfrey (@rupertbu) — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:50:48 +0000

the isolation of #self :-(((

By: Cornish Cockney

Cornish Cockney — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:36:54 +0000

When the zombie apocalypse happens, those of us without smart phones, and therefore need to remember directions, tube maps, phone numbers etc in our heads, will be the survivors! 😀

By: SBW

SBW — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 08:57:37 +0000

Thought-provoking images. The universal visual (not just in Brick Lane but throughout the world where they are used) is one of eyes down rather than looking out. Its a pity. We must remember that the mobile phone can be useful in emergency and for many things. Question is – do they control us? Or are we in charge. We need to look out, and to reach out, to life around us – as the GA shows us over and over. Thank you.