ABSTRACT

On a busy Saturday afternoon in London, I’m out with a friend, Emma, and her son, Charlie, who is just about 18 months old. Charlie needs a new pair of shoes, and the closest place we can get some shoes is the disturbingly crowded Carnaby Street. The plan is to nd the closest shop that sells kids’ shoes, and while I keep an eye on Charlie and entertain him for a few minutes, Emma will go into the shop, buy the shoes, and meet us outside. Once we agree on the plan, I quickly run a Google search on my phone, nd the closest shop, see how to get there on the Google Maps, and in no time Emma starts walking there while I start following her with Charlie. Charlie, sitting in his buggy disoriented and confused about what is going on, starts looking at me as if he is going to cry. “Mommy is right there,” I say, to calm him down pointing my nger to the shop, “She will be here very soon.” Charlie looks at my hand pointing at the shop, and says “Daddy!” I get confused. I start looking around trying to see if Tim (Charlie’s father who is in Tokyo at that time) miraculously happens to be in London with us at exactly that moment. Realizing that I am a bit puzzled, Charlie quickly grabs my hand, which is holding my phone, and again says “Daddy!”—shaking the phone.