SMART PHONES SMART : PRECIS

 

RESISTANCE to smartphones gets harder. Young tech skeptics gain recruits, but college years bring some compromises.

Brink Watling, a college sophomore wearing a baggy coal and purple fingerless gloves, walked the chilly campus of Temple University in Philadelphia on a recent afternoon to recruit new members to her club.

She taped a flier to the pole : '' Join the Luddite Club for Meaningful Connections.''

Down the block, she posted another one : '' Do You Desire a Healthier Relationship with Technology,  Especially Social Media? The Luddite Club Welcomes You and Your Ideas.''

When a student approached, Ms. Watling dived into her pitch :

'' Our club promotes conscious consumption of technology,'' she said.  '' We're for human connection. I'm one of the first members of the original Luddite Club in Brooklyn. Now I'm trying to start it in Philly.''

She pulled out a flip phone, mystifying her recruit.

'' We use these,'' she said. '' This has been the most freeing experience of my life.''

The World Students Society thanks Alex Vadukul.