> It should be our right to walk and listen to music / look at the sky / cute dogs / snowflakes
Whether on street or sidewalk, if your feet are moving you have a responsibility to maintain situational awareness. If you don't, you are endangering other sidewalk&crosswalk users, who are not protected by 4000 lb of crumple zones and airbags. Ever watched a pedestrian walking while looking down at his phone? He staggers sideways like a drunk. Though watching two phone-staggerers walk into each other is highly amusing.