My friend Kevin has a policy that I have recently adopted. I will not carry on a text conversation. Text messages are great for short alerts.
I’m running late.
I’m at baggage claim.
I’m pregnant.
But they’re not designed to replace conversations. After a couple of quick back and forths, if you want to continue to converse with me I will CALL you. You’re obviously there. You just texted me two seconds ago.
Yes, the ability to send text messages that are received instantly is pretty amazing. Clearly, the purpose of human thumbs is to communicate. But even more amazing is that by simply pushing a few buttons you can actually TALK to the person. Imagine, carrying on a dialogue in real time. And hearing the other person’s voice. Not having to decipher what ob meant when the person hit the wrong key. Being able to express a thought longer that a tweet.
Since I adopted this policy, there have been a few times when someone has tried to engage me in a text conversation. So I would call them. And they were always startled. Completely in shock. It’s like, “Ohmygod, did somebody die?” Has it been that long since people talked to each other that it is now awkward?
So if you want to tell me you’re on your way, the team bus leaves in ten minutes, or my hair is on fire, then by all means text me. But anything else, let’s talk by smartphone.
If this policy works I then might suggest something really insane – we actually get together and talk face to face. I know. WTF? 2M2H.
