Are Smartphones Making People Dumber? A Reflection from Zhuhai, China

During this recent return to Zhuhai, China, I couldn’t help but notice something that bothered me deeply: people seem to be getting dumber — and I don’t say this to insult, but as an observation of how technology, especially smartphones, is affecting human behavior.

Even my own assistant and studio manager aren’t immune. I noticed that whenever I asked them to handle something unrelated to their phone, their first reaction was to pick up their phone. It's like an automatic habit. It's strange, unnecessary, and a bit worrying.

When we sit down to chat, there’s no real conversation anymore. Every five minutes, their eyes drift back to the screen in their hand. Notifications? Maybe. Boredom? Possibly. Addiction? Most likely.

This isn’t just about my team—it reflects a broader issue happening everywhere. Smartphones have rewired how people behave, how they think, and how they communicate. We’re losing focus, patience, and the ability to engage with one another without digital distractions.

If we want to maintain any level of meaningful communication and keep our minds sharp — whether in work or in life — this habit needs to be corrected. Real conversations matter. Being present matters. Creativity and problem-solving don’t happen through mindless scrolling.

As someone working in photography — a field that requires observation, communication, and awareness — I truly believe this issue deserves attention. Otherwise, we’re training ourselves, and those around us, to become less capable with every swipe.

Let’s fix this, together.