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.