Good point about the IT infrastructure...
...that makes owning a smartphone, and most of the other digital devices worthwhile. But I'll still argue that most of that infrastructure consumes less energy than alternative uses for our time might. And that infrastructure becomes more efficient per/user every day. And like I pointed out above, American per-capita energy consumption has trended steadily downward during the same time that digital usage has gone from near zero to near 100%. That would help confirm my assumption.
Also, good point on earphone sensory deprivation. When walking my neighborhood, I admit to wearing a lightweight non-ear-covering headset at relatively low volume that allows me to hear what's going on around me. But when walking in more natural, quiet environs, I forgo electronic media and enjoy the near silence and sounds of nature.
What gets me are people with earbuds so loud, that you can hear what they are listening to 20 feet away. Their choices as to what to listen to in later years will be highly limited.
