A Scary Trend....

So I have noticed lately that everywhere I go people seem to be practicing what I'd like to call, "Dude, you don't matter, so I don't see you." Unlike mindfulness, a practice where you are encouraged to experience the presence of things and people around you, this practice is a way for people to build even taller and stronger imaginary walls-- so strong in fact, that they act as if they'll stop cars from hitting them, or conversely if it is the car, it won't hit what it "doesn't" see.
Why do I bring this up?
About a month ago, I was pulling up to a corner to turn right off my street to head back to the church. A young man, with no head phones, cell phone or anything else to distract him, walked across the intersection without once glancing around him to see if there were cars, bikes, aliens vehicles that might keep him from successfully and safely crossing the street. He walked, eyes affixed straight forward, never seeming to take his eyes off the horizon. Luckily, I noticed him heading across the street as I pulled up and was able to break a bit more than I would have normally. I could not help but think, "Dude, even in a pedestrian city like Boston, you don't look, you die!" As I drove down the street the same direction he was walking, I looked over to see if he might notice me staring at him. Nothing. Blank. Not in a Zombie sort of way, for I'd get my brain out of there as fast as I could. It was pretty clear, in his world, I did not exist.
Another example happened today as Joel and I finished our shopping at Trader Joes. I went to return the shopping cart to its shopping cart home while Joel got into the Jeep. As I made my way back across the street, being mindful of vehicles, carts, crying children, the lack of promised downpour of rain, I noticed two cars speeding in the parking lot in front of the store at me! Again, I attempted eye contact with both drivers only to find them staring straight ahead at the horizon.
So what's up with this scary trend? I still exist even if they don't look at me....did they not learn this? Is it way for people to thumb their noses at strangers? Or are we just that scared that someone else might notice us or we might notice someone else and be forced to do something?
Oh, and go see the movie, "Juno," if you have not. The best movie I've seen in awhile!