When Otis Johnson was convicted and imprisoned at age 25, gadgets that have become a part of everyday life such as cell phones, computers and other similar gadgets did not yet exist. Now that he has become a free man at the age of 69, he prepares himself for the incoming challenges as he re-enters a more technology-dependent society.
Probably the main thing that Johnson would have certainly noticed is to see people walking around talking to themselves.
'I had seen that everybody, or the majority of the people, were talking to themselves. Then I looked closer and they seemed to have things in their ears.'
To him, it seemed like everyone joined the CIA who were the first group of people he encountered to talk to themselves using something attached to their ears. He is also quite concerned with some people who appear to be not looking where they are going but is nevertheless astonished by how these people get by.
He also mentions being amazed to see videos on windows now when back then, he could only see people inside establishments or walking by being reflected by the windows.
Johnson was convicted of attempted murder after being found guilty of assaulting a police officer and was put to jail in 1971. Now with little money, no relatives and nowhere else to go, he joined a non-profit organization that helps inmates reconnect with society.
He would stand outside for long periods of time just to observe these sights that he seem to believe are nothing but crazy. He mentioned he spends more time outside as much as possible in order to observe people preoccupied with things he would never have imagined existed.
'Being in society is a good feeling. I like being in the sun and also observing people. It's nice to be free.'
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
