--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have the alternative. \"Do I want to be…" description: "\"We have the alternative. \"Do I want to be on the subway looking at these people, or do I want to be in my phone looking at my people?\"\" — Douglas Rushkoff" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/douglas-rushkoff-2188_alternatives_we-have-the-alternative-do-i-want-to-be_270450.png" --- # We have the alternative. "Do I want to be on the subway… ![“We have the alternative. "Do I want to be on the subway looking at these people, or do I want to be in my phone looking at my people?"” quote by Douglas Rushkoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/douglas-rushkoff-2188_alternatives_we-have-the-alternative-do-i-want-to-be_270450.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/douglas-rushkoff-2188_alternatives_we-have-the-alternative-do-i-want-to-be_270450.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/douglas-rushkoff-2188_alternatives_we-have-the-alternative-do-i-want-to-be_270450.png) > “We have the alternative. "Do I want to be on the subway looking at these people, or do I want to be in my phone looking at my people?"” [Douglas Rushkoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-rushkoff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choose between passive observation of strangers or active engagement with your own community via phone. **In simple terms:** Prefer connecting with your own people. Key Takeaway Prioritize personal connections over distant observation. Themes technology social media choice Mood thoughtful critical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - commuting - social media use - family gatherings Key Concepts digital immersion personal relationships attention economy Questions to Reflect On - How can you limit passive scrolling? - What habits foster deeper personal engagement? A Different Perspective Digital distraction can erode real‑world relationships. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Phones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phones/) ## Related quotes > [Smurfs must only eat Smurfberries. They can eat Smurfberry pie, they can have a Smurfberry sandwich, they can do whatever they want. 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