Can someone explain the appeal of text messages?

[Aspen and Misty]

I can see why talking to or seeing someone in person is awkward, who needs that personal contact?

Why should I..

Drive over to a friend's house to get a warm human hug?
Be able to see a tear in the corner of the same friend's eye when
she tells me she is down?
Have to look into those same eyes and watch them smile?
Share a soda or having to stay for a meal?
Sprawl out on a couch for an hour of two of TV?
put up with a crazy laugh, when I can sanitize it in a text message?

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I find it interesting you view text messaging in such an extreme way. I don't think there is one person in the world who, when they are feeling down wouldn't want a hug from a friend. I think text messeges are used more because your "I'll be there in 10" text messeges are much easier then a 2 minute phone conversation just to tell the other person you will be there in 10. And who cares if you talk to them on the phone or not if you will be face to face with that person in just a few minutes.

Ashley

[RedHedd]

I can see why talking to or seeing someone in person is awkward, who needs that personal contact?

Why should I..

Drive over to a friend's house to get a warm human hug?
Be able to see a tear in the corner of the same friend's eye when
she tells me she is down?
Have to look into those same eyes and watch them smile?
Share a soda or having to stay for a meal?
Sprawl out on a couch for an hour of two of TV?
put up with a crazy laugh, when I can sanitize it in a text message?

Thank you RICHARD, that's what I was trying to say.

YOU CANNOT TEXT AND DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION!

I had to laugh when they had to pass a law prohibiting people from texting while driving. It's a sad commentary on the state of common sense - does it exist anymore? - that they have to pass laws prohibiting stupid people from doing stuff that just plain common sense used to cover.

[DrKym]

I use the text feature more than the calling features, I text everyone!
Many times I cannot be doing the phone to my ear thing while working with a bird etc. so texting is great, I can open the message when it is more convienent for me, not to mention that it is so much cheaper on my cell phone plan to text!

[Rachel]

None of these innovations are in and of themselves bad or good but they certainly can be used in ways that are beneficial or detrimental as various posts in this thread indicate. Also obvious from the posts in this thread is that there is disagreement about what constitutes be beneficial and detrimental.

So here's my take.

When in the company of a person, give that person the benefit of your attention and conversation, as opposed to trying to communicate via any means (texting or cell phone) with someone else. If it's an absolute necessity, say excuse me for a minute while I attend to an important matter.

Adults have a responsibility to set ground rules and an example for the younger generation in their care.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience the world around you with its vast wealth of things to learn about, people to observe, and Mother Nature to absorb.

Multi-tasking can at times be self defeating. We are Pet People. Can you really enjoy true interaction with your pets with one ear glued to a cell phone or fingers pushing those text messages? Most activities need your undivided attention, and yes, even driving.

Find the tool that fits the need for the occasion. That doesn't mean it will fit all needs for every occasion.

[cali]

I am not a big texter, but it most certainly comes in handy. its happend before that my best frineds mom asks me to text her daughter for something important, her daughter in in highschool, and I cannot phone her cell while she is in class, and the office wont interupt a student in class if you not the students parent. one example: my friends little sister was rushed to the hospital, her mom wanted her other daughter to know what was going on, but needed to rush to the hospital, and cant have her cell on at the hospital. her daughter was in class so she asked me to text her kid a quick note, and ask her to call me ASAP for more info. her mom did not have time to call the school and sit there waiting 10 minuts for her kid to get to the phone, and if her cell rang in class if would have been confiscated on the spot without being answered.

now the appeal of contsant texting? I dont get, its not that easy to type with a cell phone lol

[king2005]

I text all the time for several reasons.

1. I get 1 bar of reception in my house, so I cannot take a call, but I can send & receive text messages.
2. When I'm at work & need to ask my freinds something, while they are at work, I can send aa text to them & they will reply when they are free.. if the convo needs more detail, then we call.
3. I have unlimited texting cause I cannot afford long distance, so I text my sister so she can call me. Or I text friends, to have a quick chat as not all of them use MSN or have a computer & neither of us can afford long distance.

[Miss Z]

p.s. I think its hillarious when someone texts me by accident from a wrong number. It has happened several times.

Haha, I agree! I got one once saying 'Honey, please don't leave me, I'd do anything for you! Please, please call me babe'. I was SO tempted to text back and tell him to send some roses and a diamond necklace and 'I'll' think about it.

I text more often than call simply because it's cheaper!

[sparks19]

Haha, I agree! I got one once saying 'Honey, please don't leave me, I'd do anything for you! Please, please call me babe'. I was SO tempted to text back and tell him to send some roses and a diamond necklace and 'I'll' think about it.

I text more often than call simply because it's cheaper!

No kidding.... cell phone minutes are so ungodly expensive anymore. You basically have to sign over your first born as collateral hehehe.

[sparks19]

I have never sent a text message in my life.

I can see why talking to or seeing someone in person is awkward, who needs that personal contact?

Why should I..

Drive over to a friend's house to get a warm human hug?
Be able to see a tear in the corner of the same friend's eye when
she tells me she is down?
Have to look into those same eyes and watch them smile?
Share a soda or having to stay for a meal?
Sprawl out on a couch for an hour of two of TV?
put up with a crazy laugh, when I can sanitize it in a text message?

In that case wouldn't it be just a silly to use a phone? not just text messages. Afterall you can't see a tear over the phone or get a warm hug or share a soda when talking on the phone. so in other words if we ever want to talk to someone I should just drop by every ten minutes

Or talking to someone over the internet.... like we are now.... is just as impersonal I would think

[RICHARD]

In that case wouldn't it be just a silly to use a phone? not just text messages. Afterall you can't see a tear over the phone or get a warm hug or share a soda when talking on the phone. so in other words if we ever want to talk to someone I should just drop by every ten minutes

You are correct.

I do not own a cell phone and save the impoirtant stuff for important moments.

It is the 'constant' texting/phonecalls that really bring us closer together.
That way I don't have to listen to my SO/BF/GF/kids when I get home.

I have no problem with the tech...it's the abuse of it at the expense of each other that bugs me.

I used to get together with a friend who carried two cell phones and a beeper.

It got very old, very fast, to schedule a day for dinner, a concert or a sporting event and then HAVE to watch a cellphone induced Tourette's attack for three or four hours.

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I really was interested in his work calls or the "check in" calls back and forth from home.

"Honey, I love you, I'm drinking a beer"
"Honey, what are you doing-has the ball game started?"
(the volume on the cell is turned way up....)
"I'm on my way home!"

Like EFF, I used to have an umbilical cord. I think it was on my belly. I am too old to remember those days, so why relive them?


Because we are in contact with each other so frequently, we really don't have anything to say.


Yeah, it's nice to be able to use tech to make our lives easier, but it seems like the more we say over that tech, it just cheapens the content.

When beepers first made the scene, doctors were the only ones carrying them.

Good enough reason! Now that you can reach out and touch anyone, anytime I really don't find that getting a phonecall or a text to be that important.

Posting messages here at PT isn't as impersonal as you stated.
It's more a forum, place to park an opinion, sharing of thoughts, pets and advice.

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There are the people who cannot live with out their tech- I just choose to live my life without it.

There once was a guy named Pavlov who trained some dogs for an experiment.

He'd ring a bell, then feed them. Later on he just rang the bell without feeding them. He found out that they would drool when they heard a bell ring, because they thought it was chow time.

The next time you are stuck with a crowd of people watch their reaction when "the bell rings".

One will get fed, the others will just have to drool.

[sparks19]

Now in the cases you describe.... YES that gets very old very fast.

I don't know WHY anyone would want to have a cell phone glued to their ear 24/7.

I find especially rude to be out with someone and have them constantly on their cell phone instead of visiting with the person that came to see them.

with some people it does seem theywould rather talk to the person on the phone rather than the person that is right in front of their face and I really don't understand that.

But I am a sucker for my hubby lol and if I can hear from him during the day just to hear an I love you or just to hear his voice makes me feel better when I can't actually BE with him. Now of course I would rather BE with him.... but life dictates we cannot be together 24/7 lol and I definately don't ignore my guests to talk on my phone... that to me is just rude.

it does amaze me how many people find that to be perfectly acceptable though and that does annoy me.

and Of course I don't think pet talk is impersonal.... but I don't think a text from my hubby is impersonal either. I was just using it as an example

[Twisterdog]

I like text messaging, and I'm an old fogey too, I suppose.

I started using it because I have four teenagers. It's their mode of communication of choice, so I adopted it. It never hurts to be on their level, if it is something as simple as learning to text.

However, I do find it is very nice. I like to have a record of EXACTLY what I said. "But Mom, you said to be home at midnight!" "No, I did not. I said 11:00" "Well, I THOUGHT you said midnight. It was noisy. I misunderstood" Yeahhhh, right. Now, I just show them the text. Hee hee hee. It's cut down on that nonsense considerably.

I also use it to pass the time, waiting in line, whatever. I also like that I can send a message that isn't really important, and have a friend answer it when she has time later. I don't feel like I'm interrupting or bothering her that way.

I'm certainly not a "technology addict" like Richard describes. I don't think everyone who like their cell phone, blackberry or computer is bound for a lonely, solitary life without human contact. With ANYthing ... food, alcohol, text messaging, gambling, etc. ... almost anything used in moderation is fine. Sure, there are always going to be a few people taking it FAR to excess, and a few people shunning it entirely as "evil". But for the vast majority of us, it's just another tool.

[Jessika]

To be honest..... if its so important that you have to text me, then call me. If you're worried that I might be at work or in school, then I either don't have my cell phone on me, or it's on silent. If I don't answer, leave a message.

I think texting is slightly pointless, too. The ONLY thing I may use it for is to "harass" my sister (inside joke stuff) or to send messages to HJ like "I love you" just to make him smile lol

[RICHARD]

I almost PIMP a few days ago.......

Citibank and BofA announced that you can now pay your bills with your cell phone, another way to screw you outta a few cents more?

During the newsclip they did the interview with the bank official and had a few vignettes on how easy it was to walk around and pay your bills.

The last shot was of a handsome couple, sitting in what looked like an eatery.

They were both at the same table, facing each other.....

And they both were oblivious to each other.


So.......here's the rub.

Were they....

A) paying the check?

B) Texting each other on what they were going to do next?

C) Texting thier lovers, "I'm stuck in a reataurant with the anchor, tlk 2 u ltr!"

D) Texted each other so much they are now at a relationship impasse?

E) Texting a divorce lawyer?

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POST-ITS!


Those little yellow sticky things.

I only got to see my GF on the weekends, on Sunday before I left her house, I'd write out a few, stick them all thru her apartment and see how many she could find before I came back.


I'd end up with a card or note in my case-and I'd stick it to the wall of my office.

I guess I'd have to buy a cell phone everytime I wanted to be reminded of her...

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Phone call? Local and long distance charges apply!
Test message? Free!
Face to face sitdown? PRICELESS!



That and I keep my shirts relatively dry!

[Suki Wingy]

So you can communicate durring class when you're not supposed to have a phone out?