For as long as we have had language, we have told stories. Stories inspired men and women and children at solemn events—coming of age ceremonies and funeral reminiscences. Sometimes stories were told merely to entertain around a fire on a cold winter’s night.

Stories gained new potential once we learned to write down our thoughts. We were not limited to present memory. We could write for future generations or for those outside our immediate group.

Much of our entertainment was still communal, however. Writers like the Greek playwrights and Shakespeare created plays for audiences to approve or disapprove.

Then the novel appeared. Reading a novel, unlike watching a play in a theater, often is a private affair. However, book clubs and book reviews abound. We like to discuss what we read. We gain pleasure from sharing our thoughts.

A form of the play, the movie, was created in the twentieth century. We can rent movies or watch them on Netflix, but we still enjoy our community movie houses. Sometimes we invite our friends and families to be with us when we watch movies at home.

Now we have smart phones. At the moment, checking and using our phones seems to favor private viewing. Yet, who knows? The urge for community may conquer even this solitary activity.

Notice the number of people checking their phones even when in a group. Perhaps we will begin using our smart phones as stepping stones for discussion, all reading a book or an article at the same time.