5 Ways Cell Phones Ruin Almost Everything

I saw Kevin Kinkead (no, we aren’t related) write in his 10,000th post his most recent 50 hot takes about his frustration with phone usage at concerts. I couldn’t agree more though I don’t go to as many concerts today as I did in the past.

The problem with his take is that it doesn’t go far enough. I’ve long believed it and it’s only getting worse, phones ruin everything! In the constant fascination (for those who like to live out loud) to document everything in their daily lives phones have become completely invasive.

If you disagree with any of these I’m figuring you are a violator of one of these examples. Here are the worst of the worst…

There are few better moments than the memories of playing with your young children at the pool. Instead, I see young kids playing by themselves in a pool while Mom and Dad are busy scrolling IG or whatever task is so important that they can’t put their phones down. While I feel sorry for the kids missing out, I feel more sorry for what the parents are missing out on.

You make your way to your seat during boarding and find yourself in the middle of a conversation. Nobody is actually talking to you though. It’s the fool in the window seat carrying on a phone call loudly so you feel like you are a part of it. As they try and close that “big business deal” or tell you what time their plane lands, you will know more about your seatmate than you ever wanted to. Bonus jackass points for the person on the speaker.

I may or may not have my earbuds in, but I want to make sure I can hear my music and that everybody around me can hear it too. It’s another person you might encounter on a plane as they somehow nap while the music leaks 4 rows back. You could also just be out at a pool or beach where they believe they are the designated DJ for everyone.

The waiter or waitress is just trying to take your order. I know that it might seem inconvenient to make eye contact after your 4th “I’m at this restaurant” selfie, but it holds the staff up and every other table they can’t get to. I always wonder, are they texting each other? Try the pile the phones on the table strategy and go back to “olden times” when people conversed over a meal.

Yes, this line is long and moving slowly. I know those reels of puppies are intriguing, but everybody behind you doesn’t need you leaving 20 car lengths between you and the person in front of you. We all want to get somewhere and just ask that you look up once in a while.

Not to wax too poetic, but I know a little bit about facing down potential regrets in life. It’s a lesson that I learned in my late 20’s that “tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us”. Last year it was reinforced as a refresher course. I think it’s important to be present and to actually experience moments. Documenting a moment isn’t the same thing. Is it a phone addiction? It sure seems like it to me.

As it turns out, people who live to 100 have certain things in common. It used to be that living to be 100 years old was very rare. You almost never heard of it happening. But, times are changing. In fact, according to experts, more people are projected to join the centenarian club in the next few decades than ever before.

Before we get into the things that people who live to 100 have in common, let's look at general trends. According to the latest projections from the experts at the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans ages 100 and older is expected to more than quadruple over the next three decades. That's huge. Specifically, the number of people age 100 and older in America is projected to go from an estimated 101,000 in 2024 to roughly 422,000 in 2054. Currently, people who are 100 or older, often called centenarians, consist of just 0.03% of the overall U.S. population. That percentage is expected to increase to 0.1% in 2054. So, it will still be rare, but not nearly as rare. The centenarian trend has actually been going strong for a while. Over the past three decades, the U.S. centenarian population has almost tripled in size.

So, who makes up these folks who are living to be 100 and older? According to Census information, in 2024, 78% of centenarians are women and 22% are men. Their projections have women making up 68% of centenarians in three decades, with men making up 32%. Also, in 2024, according to the Census Bureau, 77% of centenarians are White, while 8% are Black, 7% are Asian, 6% are Hispanic and 1% or fewer are multiracial. In three decades, Census information projects that white adults will comprise 72% of the 100 and older club, Asians will make up 5%, Hispanics will comprise 11% and Blacks will make up 10%.

It's not just in America, either. According to recent data from the U.K.'s Office for National Statistics (ONS), 15,120 centenarians were living in England and Wales in 2022, which was a 3.7% increase from 2021. That was also the highest number of centenarians ever counted for the area and an impressive 100% increase from 2002 numbers. By 2030, more 21,000 centenarians are expected to be in the U.K., according to additional research.

So, what are some simple things that people who live to 100 do? Read on for a tally. Genetics is a part of it, but it's not all of it. It's a fallacy to think that just because someone has "good genes," they can live totally rough their whole life and not suffer any consequences. Sure, having good genes is nice, but there are some simple things that people who live to 100 do, so why not give these a try?

A new study published in the journal eBioMedicine looked at the DNA and lifestyle of seven centenarians to see what they had in common to live so long. The researchers found that people in the 100+ age group, not surprisingly, had a strong immune system that had allowed them to fight off a lot of illnesses. It helped them stay alive longer.

If having a good immune system isn't in your genres, according to the experts at Harvard, you can boost your immune system by eating a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables. Another way is to exercise regularly and have a healthy weight. A few other ways include getting enough sleep, only drinking in moderation, not smoking, staying up to date with immunizations and avoiding stress.

According to a recent study published in the National Library of Medicine, "The age at which 20% of each of the centenarian groups experienced morbidity was significantly delayed by between 18 and 24 years." That means these people got chronic illnesses much later than their peers. It helped them live longer.

This one shouldn't be a surprise. According to a National Institutes of Health study, 2.5 hours of moderate activity a week could increase your life by 3.4 years. Studies also show that places around the world with the most centenarians are often in places with rural communities, where they are up and walking around instead of sitting at a desk. So, get out and move.

Keeping their weight in check is apparently another commonality with people who make it to 100 years old. In a Harvard-Salk Institute paper about longevity, they note, "At present, calorie restriction remains the most robust [i.e., evidence based] strategy for extending health and lifespan in most biological models tested." So, eat, but do so mindfully. They also eat healthy, which goes along with longevity.

As they say, people need people. According to a research study via PNAS.org, having real, quality social ties with friends and family has been associated with better health. Also, being socially isolated has been associated with an increased risk of inflammation in people of different ages. So, don't be such a hermit.

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, "While there is no definitive scientific evidence linking directly spirituality and longevity some research suggests that spiritual practices and beliefs may have indirect effects on physical and mental health, which could potentially contribute to longer life spans." So, it's not a sure thing. But, it appears having beliefs and spirituality is something that many people over 100 share. Pray up, my friend.

A recent study published in GeroScience shows that those 100 years of age and older have some similarities in their blood. According to research, they have lower, but not super low, levels of creatinine, glucose and uric acid. Talk to your doctor about ways to get your blood to those levels, and talk to you doctor about any changes you plan to make to your lifestyle and diet, of course.