Thank you Michael for this most enjoyable read - I have been a Flâneur for two years now (and recently published a book about it title, or course, Mature Flâneur). Everything you have written rings so true! I share pd my journey mostly as a writer, rather suspicious of photography for exactly the reasons you list, but have come to value my smartphone as a way of capturing the moment…and absolutely.
, one must experience it first, before fumbling for one’s smartphone.