Lawn Chairs in Times Square

I saw a blurb about this on the Today Show a few days ago--a section of Times Square has been filled with 376 lawn chairs. They are temporary seating options until the more permanent benches arrive in August. When I first heard the story I have to admit I thought it was a waste of money, but it seems like some New Yorkers are really liking the idea. People are sitting, not texting, not talking on the phone, but just sitting and people watching. That is what made me wonder. Are we really so involved with the hustle and bustle of things, and so connected to others through technology, that the idea of just sitting down and doing a little people watching is novel?