Fuori Servizio

I've worked in IT for most of my life. Technology is part of my job, my interests, and my everyday routine. That's probably why I find some of the absurd situations we create with it particularly amusing.

We have extraordinary tools that allow people to communicate across thousands of miles. Then we sit at the same table and send each other messages instead of speaking.

That contradiction is at the heart of “Fuori servizio”.

I liked the idea of bringing together small everyday scenes that we now consider completely normal, but that become almost comical when you stop and think about them.

Like being unable to buy a coffee because an electronic payment fails, even though you have enough money to pay for it. Or watching a beautiful sunset while worrying more about posting the perfect photo than enjoying what's happening in front of you.

And then there's the line: “There's a signal everywhere, but not between you and me.”

It captures the entire paradox. We can get connected almost anywhere, but that doesn't necessarily mean we're truly in touch with another person.

I didn't want to write another song blaming everyone else for their habits. That would have been too easy.

So towards the end, the protagonist realises he's doing exactly what he's been criticising. Someone was talking to him, and he was too busy looking at his phone to pay attention.

I liked that reversal because I think these habits affect just about everyone, myself included.

I certainly don't believe we should abandon smartphones or go back to the past. That would be rather ridiculous coming from someone like me.

Perhaps we just need to recognise when technology is useful and when it's better to put it aside.

The ending is deliberately simple: “This time I'm here. I'll answer you out loud.”

No apps, updates, or new features required.

Just being present.