Throughout history, the world has faced many epidemics. Smallpox, Bubonic Plague, Yellow Fever, Malaria, Cholera, Ebola, Hepatitis, and most recently, Zika. Some would say we also face an epidemic of obesity, diabetes and mental illness. Even things like loneliness, trust, entitlement and sexual dysfunction are now included in the “epidemic” category.
However, there is new epidemic sweeping the globe, that is impacting more people than all the previously stated epidemics combined. Its none other than the dreaded “Low Battery Anxiety”!
Before you laugh, consider this shocking statistic. In a recent survey of cell phone users, 90% said they panic about losing power to their phones! 90%! Where is a response from the World Health Organization? How about a word from the UN or even Congress? How could they all be completely silent when 90% of the world is in full panic mode from an epidemic that now seems to be a full pandemic?
According to the statistics, not only is Low Battery Anxiety causing people
to miss important meetings and functions, Its tearing apart relationships! If I am reading correctly, 77% of those surveyed said Low Battery Anxiety has negatively impacted their relationship with a date or a loved one. Truly shocking!
You have seen these people, particularity in airports, seated in coffee shops, bars, even sprawled out on the floor; anywhere they can be near an electrical outlet. You can see the panic in their eyes, hoping for just a few minutes of recharge time before their flight takes off. Airports have even installed for-pay power up stations for those willing to pony up a few bucks for a quick charge. Just enough so, God forbid, they aren’t left without the ability to send and receive texts as the plane pulls to the gate to unload!
Other troubling information from the survey included:
- 46 per cent of people say they feel embarrassed to ask a total stranger to use their charger, but would anyway because the anxiety of a dead smartphone is too great.
- 60 per cent of millennials will turn off their smartphone, and half will refrain from taking photos in hopes of prolonging their battery life.
And most disturbing of all, one in three people have gotten into an argument with a significant other or romantic interest as a result of unanswered calls or texts because their smartphone was dead! Proof positive Low Battery Anxiety is tearing apart the social fabric of our society! Dare I say the underlying message may be Low Battery Anxiety is now the #1 cause for divorce? Based on these survey results, I don’t think that statement is a reach!
As I stated previously, I believe the time to act is now! We must call on Congress, The United Nations, The World Health Organization, and all the great governments of the world. We must assemble the greatest minds to come up with a plan to stomp out this plague once and for all before it destroys us!
The Lonesome Leaker 