Text Messaging, Emails, or Telephone Calls?

What is the best mode of communicating using a device?

In this era of technology we have the opportunity to speak with our family, friends and colleagues in different forms of communication. Years ago people would send mail through the postal service to inform others about how they are doing, what is the latest things happening in their lives, and to express their feelings. Then came along the telephone which became and instantaneous way to have direct contact with someone. How easy was it just to dial and number and to have people on the phone right away? You probably remember the lyrics, "I just called to say I love you". The telephone became such an effective way to stay touch with someone, do business, and gather information. Then the answering machine was made and if the person you were trying to reach was not home you had a way to leave a message. The answering machine allowed people to leave messages whom you wanted to talk to and those you didn't. Oh, then of course we had to check the machine and return the calls. People would become offended if someone didn't call back right away.

Before long the computer came out and someone thought about a form of communication through something called the Internet which later became referred to as emailing. How nice was that to be able to send a letter to a person and they would have it almost right away? The scary thing about the emailing was that it gave a person incredible power to share their immediate feelings with someone without first taking the time to think things out. I know of many fights that were created because someone wrote down their feelings to someone impulsively without taking the time out to think the situation through. Have you ever wondered after you sent an email if you could take back what you sent before the other person read it?

Then there was Instant Messaging which was like being on the telephone but you were on a computer and you could have a conversation right away. The dialogue was immediate and you could be multitasking while you were having one of these instant messages. All I coult think about was how convienent.

Somewhere in between the computer and instant messaging was when the mobile phone was born. Now a person could go anywhere and talk on the telephone. At first, cellular phones were expensive and only the affluent could afford it. But just like any other form of economics when something becomes popular, supply and demand, the cost goes down. Soon everyone was getting a cell phone including kids.

The Internet brought spontaneity to a whole new level or at least I thought until text messaging was created. Which leads me to my most biggest concern, text messaging. If all these other modes of communication weren't enough there became a way to talk to someone instantly by telephone,, but you didn't have to actually speak to them directly. To be able to write something out in 170 characters or less was unbelievable and have someone read it right away, now that is awesome. People have been doing so much text messaging that carpel tunnel syndrome is making a comeback. I think there should be a competition made by how some people can text message so fast. There are even fancier phones available that have all different forms of communication accessible on one device. Where has our lives been going that we have went from face to face contact to typing a message and sending it through a telephone?

Talk about impersonal, how are messages received through a texting? Voice intonation, sarcasm, humor, anger is all so hard to read and translate with just a small text messaging note. I know it is easy to do to send a quick message to let someone know you are thinking about them. Texting may be in a long run a great way of staying in touch with others, but there are still so many unanswered questions about texting. Like what is the proper texting etiquette for responding back? What happens if someone doesn't contact you right away, did they get the text, was it lost in translation, maybe the person is busy or they just don't know what to say as a response. Do you send a second text message to make sure the first one was received or do you have to make an actual phone call now?

Due to breakdowns in communication over texting, I have heard people have done some quite ironic things like ending a relationship, arguements have began, or reputations have been hindered. What is wrong with just picking up the phone and calling someone? Is it that painful to actually talk on the telephone for a few minutes? I know all those questions people ask when speaking on the phone is difficult to manage, writing a message seems much easier.

My point in talking about texting, emails and phone calls is that although some forms of communication are easy to do and we can get a lot accomplished with these devices like texting and emails, it isn't always the best way. Rather than thinking about what is the quickest way to contact someone, take the time out if it is important to talk to that person on the phone or face to face. Believe it or not, I think the old fashion way to communicate is the most sentimental, expressive and special way to let someone know effectively how you truly feel and where you stand. We sometimes choose these other modes of contacting people because it is impersonal and it allows us to be disconnected with others.

Life is about a balance and all the things we do should be in moderation including how we communicate using our devices. Having an awareness about ourselves is very empowering.