How stupid would you have to be to walk into THIS?
By Boingboing
@boiboing (13152)
Northampton, England
February 20, 2016 6:45am CST
Last weekend we visited my parents in Salisbury and I took this photo of my mum and my husband in the Cathedral Close. There's a special sculpture installation there at the moment - mostly naked ladies with the heads of hares dancing about - and this statue of a massive pair of hands.
I just read in the papers that it had to be moved because too many people walked into it. They were too busy looking at the screens of their phones and apparently "didn't see" a 20 foot high solid statue.
That's pretty dumb. What's even more incredible is that this is in the grounds of one of the world's most beautiful gothic cathedrals that dates back to the 13th century.
Seriously what kind of utter philistine do you need to be to walk past a stunning building and not take your eyes off your screen?
I'm reminded of one of my favourite lines from Alice Walker's book 'The Colour Purple':
"I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it."
How much more would He be disappointed that you don't stop your obsession with online life long enough to recognise a massive cathedral?
34 people like this
36 responses
@LadyDuck (486141)
• Italy
20 Feb 16
My niece had a car accident two days ago... she was looking at her phone. I told hear hundreds of times, I hope that this is a lesson. Youngsters seem only capable to look at their gadgets in our days, they are not interested by the nature, monuments and statues around them.
6 people like this
@Daljinder (23193)
• Bangalore, India
21 Feb 16
@LadyDuck It's the trouble with mostly everyone now. Many severe accidents occur due to this habit. And not to forget the awful habit of keeping the headphones in your ears while crossing the roads. Seriously? How careless and irresponsible can you get?
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
20 Feb 16
We don't even see people's faces anymore as they are always looking down at their phones. I saw a teenage girl once walk into moving traffic because she was looking at her phone.
4 people like this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
21 Feb 16
Indeed does anyone even look up from their phone?
2 people like this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
26 Feb 16
@fishtiger58 When we have down time we are glued to our gadgets. That's just how society is becoming... over stimulated and want instant gratifcation
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
22 Feb 16
@3SnuggleBunnies I really don't think so.
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38829)
• Midland, Michigan
3 Mar 16
@boiboing Listening to music isn't as bad as texting while walking down busy streets.
2 people like this
@boiboing (13152)
• Northampton, England
3 Mar 16
@MarshaMusselman Not as bad, I agree. But potentially worse for creating people who are totally deaf to their surroundings.
3 people like this
@Shellyann36 (11383)
• United States
21 Feb 16
That is very disappointing. People are too tied up in the digital world.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
20 Feb 16
People should be taught to leave their phones off unless it is needed to take a picture, look up a map or make a call. Mine is off almost all of the time. I am too busy living to get sucked into a virtual world.
My computer will be off in a few minutes too. It will stay off until later today. 
4 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
20 Feb 16
Bummer they have to move this statue. Some people are just too attached to their phones that they do not pay attention.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
20 Feb 16
I'm just glad you all didn't walk into it by accident.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
21 Feb 16
@boiboing Unless you were blitzed!
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16569)
• Ireland
20 Feb 16
Lol.. erm I'd be one of these people lol
I walked into some glass door (which was locked on the inside) at Ibiza airport whilst sober.
I had to pretend to be wasted afterwards to "save face"
2 people like this
@Drosophila (16569)
• Ireland
20 Feb 16
@boiboing oh ya, if I was sober.. my IQ is called to question.
But if I was wasted.. then people will just think "meh it's Ibiza"
2 people like this
@Auntylou (4263)
• Oxford, England
1 Mar 16
@Drosophila that is not your fault though. Glass doors should have plenty of stickers on them so it is clear that there is not empty space
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
20 Feb 16
Would be funny to just sit on a bench and watch people walk into it lol
2 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
21 Feb 16
@boiboing that actually does sound quite amazing. throw in some tea, and we have a deal, lol!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29411)
• Eugene, Oregon
23 Feb 16
In San Diego recently, a man walked off a cliff while watching his screen. It surpasses understanding.
2 people like this
@nottoooldtowrite (2715)
• Philippines
20 Feb 16
I can't imagine that peole would walk through that big statue and moreso not appreciate a stunning buiding. Shaking my head.
2 people like this
@nottoooldtowrite (2715)
• Philippines
20 Feb 16
@boiboing really sad how people get caught up into something which make them miss more important things.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
21 Feb 16
I try really hard not to walk and use my phone at the same time. I've come close to walking into things before so if I need to be on my phone I'll stop to use it instead of walking into something.
2 people like this
@Jackalyn (7558)
• Oxford, England
21 Feb 16
I am always amazed at how people living anywhere have no idea of the sights. The othervday I took a friend who has lived in the villahe for ages to see the msnor and the church. We live in countryside. It is hard to miss. She was amazed to see the view for the first time......We are surroundef by fields.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64348)
• United Kingdom
20 Feb 16
It makes you wonder what people go there for. I've been to that cathedral and it's magnificent, and the sculptures look interesting too. The people that you are talking about would rather live in a virtual world than appreciate what's in front of them.
2 people like this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
20 Feb 16
We're becoming androids, it's hard to take. My memories of times when there was only radio in our house (and a wall phone that we had to crank to get the operator who would then connect our local call) bring up other memories of a full, rich life, not spent entirely in my head. Even for me, it's a struggle to maintain a life outside this computer. I won't own a "smart" phone. No way.
2 people like this
