Odd gestures in public

Screen compulsion is a widespread problem — anyone who says they don’t have it just hasn’t realized it yet. Is ditching the screen while keeping the tech apparatus connected to the internet a possible way out? I’ve been thinking about this since I put an Apple Watch on my wrist. (I’ve since taken it off after four months.) Apple’s watch fulfilled the prophecy made by Brazilian pop duo Claudinho e Buchecha back in 1998 — and suddenly, I could control my calendar — and many other things — without using my hands. More or less, to be precise. I swapped finger taps on the screen for gestures. There are two available ones. By quickly rotating your wrist, watchOS dismisses the app, card, or alarm in focus and returns to the home screen. Handy for stopping the alarm when my hands are dirty, washing the dishes, or cooking. The other is a double-tap of your index finger and thumb to “click” on buttons and scroll through cards or long screens. In September, those blessed with watchOS 27 will get…