A Poem That Will Inspire You to Put Down Your Smartphone

 By 
Andrea Romano
 on 
A Poem That Will Inspire You to Put Down Your Smartphone
Credit: Gary Turk

Many of us can't escape social media. In private and in public, we're glued to our smartphones -- often at the expense of having a conversation with the the real, live human beings in front of us.

Writer and director Gary Turk urges everyone to put down their gadgets in his poem Look Up. The video is a touching montage of a lost young man falling in love with a woman who gives him directions, and their life together without the hindrance of social media.

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The video doesn't demonize social media entirely, but rather encourages people to take a break from their online lives to experience real connections. As Turk says in the video, "Look up from your phone, shut down the display. Take in your surroundings, make the most of today. Just one real connection is all it can take to show you the difference that being there can make."

The video ironically went viral: At the time of writing, it had more than 12 million views on YouTube. Whether viewers deem Look Up as hypocritical or inspiring, it still bears a powerful message.

BONUS: 11 Tips for Breaking Up With Someone on Social Media

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