What’s the difference between Snapchat and people-watching?
[Disclaimer: my Shakespearean English is bad, so I used this translator.]
2020
JOHN: (opens up Snapchat, watches people living their lives)…
TOM: (sighs).
JOHN: (swiping)… (looks at a hot girl and sends a heart emoji)
TOM: I don’t understand what’s the joy in watching other people’s lives, having fun and whatever.
JOHN: It’s just for passing time and it’s kinda fun! Did you see this guy, though? He’s really funny!
TOM: No, thanks, but I think you’re wasting precious time that could be used in doing other productive stuff.
1820
JONATHON: (sits outdoor in his favorite cafe, watches people living their lives)…
THOMAS: (sighs).
JONATHON: (screening)… (eyes a mesmerizing lady, coughs gently, and tips hat). Ahem, M’lady.
THOMAS: ‘T bewild’rs me yond a sir finds pleasure in the trifling act of obs’rving the commonplace existence of the populace, amusing themselves and whatnot.
JONATHON: ‘tis the passing of timeth and m’rry moments, mine own cousin! Beholdeth this ingraft’r, f’r that gent hast wits!
THOMAS: Much obliges, alas methinks thy joyous endeav’rs is but f’r the unscrupulous men.