Then and Now - Tony's Consumed Thoughts

In thinking about “Consumed” the show and actually BEING consumed, I’m sad. I’m sad because I reflect on years' past when smart phones, iPhones, tablets, kindles, and androids didn’t exist. I look back on my years in high school and college when people made use of their day by studying, rehearsing, TALKING, or learning by doing; not by talking to Google, Siri or Alexa – robotic computerized voices which, honestly, terrify me.
I remember when hands were free of rectangular devices with a glow flooding one's face for hours on end; those were good times. They were times when people weren’t scared to start a conversation with a stranger, when you would actually watch the news and have a deep, poignant and meaningful conversation about what was happening; when you could get to know someone!
Sharp cut to today. No one talks on the train or bus. People almost walk straight into traffic because their Snapchat stories are just too interesting to look up and see that the light has changed, and the person about to hit you is ALSO on their phone texting someone. I have to reference the movie, “WALL-E,” and the scene where every human left on the planet is overweight with shrunken bones floating around on hovercrafts staring blankly at a screen; this scene sent me into a panic. I honestly could see that being reality in the future and it scared me to my core.
Not only does Consumed touch on technology and media but it firmly holds onto the aspect of missed connections and relationships. Look up from your device. Do you think the person next to you had a great day? Did they just get fired? Are they pregnant? Where are they going? What did they have for lunch? For those people who complain about online dating or dating apps, maybe that’s the problem! Talk to someone at the bar. Ask that co-worker that you find attractive what hobbies they have.
In terms of what’s currently happening in the world, we couldn’t be more removed. Even our president is tweeting everything. THE PRESIDENT IS TWEETING. Consumed will show how distant the characters are from what’s happening around them. Yes, we are intent on self-preservation, but at times there needs to be a little bit of a selflessness and “letting down of your guard” to unite and see the bigger picture. What does the future entail? Come find out for yourself...