Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?

Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? (1958)

This film intrigued me right away when I read the description.  Lately I have felt beyond annoyed by  automatic gadgets.  I cannot stand having a conversation with a friend and knowing instantly I am going to have to repeat myself because they are so absorbed in their phone there is no way they heard a word of what I've said.  In fact, I've begun to stop talking to see how long it takes them to notice.  This disconnect and lack of genuineness is frustrating! Additionally, I am continually finding myself annoyed by my own "automatic" devices - my phone & laptop(s).  My friends are upset that I take hours to respond to their texts, and I get anxious & antsy when I have to work on my laptop(s) for too long.  I add the "(s)" to laptops because I now regularly have to carry around both my personal & work laptops.  Not only are they a physical strain as together they're pretty heavy, but they're mentally draining as well having to continually be checking in.  The irony is that if I don't pay attention to these devices, that too creates disconnect and my friends / family / co-workers feel like I'm being inconsiderate!

Though maybe a bit drastic, I think this film is useful to use now because it demonstrates how long we've been "wired" and "connected," this was nearly 50 years ago and this wasn't even the beginning.  Additionally it shows how integrated technology is in our lives and while it has brought about a lot of really great things, like the man enjoying music from the 20's, decades before the present, during his drive to work, there are also downfalls to it, like the people are hardly talking to one another unless it is through devices.  Even the kids are only cued by the sound of the ice cream truck, they run out and get their treats only to run right back inside and plop down in front of the TV.  The film demonstrates that despite the easily ability to connect digitally, social relationships are still important!  One would think that automation would allow us more time with one another, but instead we become so consumed with it that we forget each other.