Texting

Text messages seem like such a simple thing but there's a lot to think about when examining them. Much is lost when human communication is reduced to short written messages. There's no tone, volume, facial expressions, body language, or much of anything else that depicts the mood or intention of a person. Emoticons or smileys can help. Use the tongue sticking out one to indicate that something isn't serious or you're just messing with the other person. Happy and sad or smiling and frowning have obvious uses. Emoticons do bring some of their own mysteries. What does the winking face truly mean? How many different feelings can it express? When you use it, does the other person interpret it the same way? Maybe your wink of reassurance has become a wink of creepiness.

Basic sentences are also up for interpretation. Why don't you play poker with a cat? It's a joke. Does the other person know? It could sound like I'm telling them to play poker with a cat. It's a stupid demand but there's none of the stifled giggling that often accompanies the asking of a joke. The answer to the joke is that he might be a cheetah. It's probably all clear at that point.

Worse than vagueness are the technical issues with texts. They can sometimes take several minutes to get from one phone to the other. A text sent at 8:31 PM might not arrive until 8:39 PM. Not only does this significantly slow a conversation, it can cause all sorts of problems with the receiver of the slow messages responding to earlier messages before all of the context has arrived. Phone or network issues can completely stop a phone from getting texts. I went through this torture session myself for three days before I found out it something was wrong on my phone.

Text messages are useful because they're convenient. I can type a couple sentences and press "send" in less time than it would take for the recipient to pick up the phone if I called. It's also good for avoiding having to speak with a non-stop yakker who won't let you go for the next three hours. I'll keep using them because of their convenience. Emails are too long and formal. Instant messaging software either ties me to a computer or is almost the same thing if I use it on my phone. Phone calls require both parties to be ready and willing to talk. Texts are quick, easy, and I can use them from anywhere I get cell phone service.