It’s no shock to realise that I’ve been commuting to Bern by car for nearly six years. But what is a shock is that the period of changing from train travel to car travel coincides with the main rise of the smartphone.

When I was commuting to Bern between 2008 and the end of 2010, getting through the rush-hour crowds was tricky because of people walking slowly or individuals walking against the flow. But a couple of days commuting by train this week has shown just how many people these days walk along, oblivious to their surroundings because they’re studying their iPhones and Samsungs. In just four journeys through the busy main station at Bern, I’ve almost collided with at least half a dozen people who are walking blindly amongst hundreds of others, and I’ve seen at least two people almost walk out in front of traffic because they’re so focused on their little screens.

Technological advances aren’t always for the best.

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