I do think it's important to remember the various functions that these phones have. They are, effectively, portable computers.
Some people will check Facebook alot, but remember: The point of the site, much as I hate it, is communication. More importantly though, it's an easy to understand site that even those who are about as techy as a dead frog can use. So it ends up being one of the few ways to keep in touch with certain individuals in their lives. Particularly family members that may live far away.
But it's more than that. Some may be checking news. Others may be checking a map, particularly since many major areas are designed by complete maniacs. They could be playing a game, passing the time, which as far as I'm concerned is a hell of alot better than staring off into space like a moron. Maybe they're watching a video. Or, they may be using one of the most direct forms of communication: Texting. THAT one, I can understand completely. I *hate* phone calls. Most of the time, I utterly refuse to do them, and will never pick up if called (unless it's my father or mother calling me, but they know I hate that and so wont do it unless I'm travelling). Texting is a way of getting quick bits of communication done without having to make an entire freaking phone call, just to ask someone something like "Did you pick up that important thing from the store today, or should I do it?" That's not worth a phone call to me.
Hell, a phone is even a flashlight now. Granted you're not going to see THAT function used in subways or whatever, but it shows just how versatile the things are.
People have these devices for a reason, same as why they might have a desktop PC or a laptop.
Now, as far as people seeming unhappy, I see a specific reason for that: The typical behavior that many have of simply following the herd. They end up doing things they DONT want to, because "it's the thing to do". And that's often literally the entire reason. You can often watch someone's mood drain as they do something like that, if you're observant enough.
Me, I just bloody refuse to do stuff like that. I couldnt care less if something is "the thing to do". If I dont want to do it, I'm not going to do it. Like drinking... I'm not interested in what is effectively a potion of stupidity. I dont care that it's "social" (which, if you really analyze it, makes no sense at all). I'm not going to do it. I'm also not going to go to parties. They're boring and loud. Why subject myself to unpleasant things when I dont have to?
But so many people just dont see it that way. And sometimes it gets really extreme, like those stupid "challenges" you see now. They're often REALLY unpleasant, and sometimes outright dangerous, but again, there's that "follow the herd" mentality, and people WILL do them purely because of that, no matter how freaking dumb it is. And then watch as their mood REALLY drains as they experience the consequences of whatever idiotic thing they just did.
Another reason though: Jobs. Most jobs are braindead experiences. Not some jobs: MOST of them. I dont work anymore... havent in about a decade. But I remember that when I did, they were all freaking MISERABLE. I had one job... ONE... that was actually mentally engaging, and that was operating a pair of check sorters at a bank (very rare machines that sort the checks for a huge amount of banks in one region). And the reason it was mentally engaging is because the things were made out of distilled crazy. They'd do things like tear stuff up, spray checks into the air randomly, lock up, or start to put out smoke. Among other crazy things. They're huge machines and needed constant monitoring and fixing, so there was never a dull moment. But that was just that job. Every other one I had... and I had many... was a braindead, soul-sucking experience that absolutely could have been done (and now often is) by a rather simplistic computer/machine of some sort. And some were even dumber than a job like that. Think of someone that works as a Wal-mart greeter. I'm convinced it's a job that's at the absolute bottom of the barrel. Just standing there, for hours on end, saying "welcome to Derp-Mart" over and over... if these people DONT go home in a miserable or angry state, I'd both be very surprised, and wonder at their sanity. Which probably cracks after enough time doing it.
Some people of course can get jobs doing stuff they love, but that's usually some sort of "crafting" thing. Whatever that may be. Maybe someone builds stuff out of wood. Maybe someone else is a programmer. They make things they're passionate about, and that prevents the usual problems. I know someone like that, a game developer who I've contracted with a few times, and the guy will often work 12-hour work days. Does he have to? No. But it's what he loves doing, so even despite the stress, he'll do it anyway.
But that's pretty rare. Alot of people just dont end up doing stuff like that.
And worse, many jobs involve working for nasty corporate entities, groups that absolutely couldnt care less about their lowly grunts, and that absolutely WILL throw you under the bus if they think it'll benefit them.
Lastly, some may just be in a place they hate. That one is MY reason. I live in Illinois. I. Hate. Every. Square inch of it. My mood is perpetually bad as long as I'm stuck here, only lightening up when I travel to... basically any other freaking place. Well, any place south of here. It's the climate, you see. I hate it. Well, it's also the area. A traffic filled mess full of morons in one direction, and an utterly blank, unending expanse of grass and farms in the other. I'd rather live where it's warm, near the ocean down south. I was down at the island house over this last week, and for once, I wasnt in an "I hate everything mood". I get back to this stupid hole in the ground, and my mood is immediately terrible. I'm betting I'm not alone in feeling this way.
So, yeah, I think those are a couple of reasons.
Seems more realistic to me.
