2008 Woodie Awards
Don't finger me!
Ed Troxell
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: Opinion
Back in the old days the most popular form of communication was verbal. Imagine actually talking, in person, to someone, anyone: a friend or even a complete stranger. Of course in today's world that is rare.
Today we have a stronger relationship with our cell phones than we do with an actual human being. We are addicted to our sleek, flashy, vibrating phones. Each defines who we are by the personalized ring tones, the voice commands, and the photo avatars. They are the first thing we check in the morning and the last thing we check at night.
Before cell phones, we had to interact with the people right in front of us. If we couldn't then we would call and talk over the phone; now, that is gone too. We hardly talk on the phone. Texting has become such an addiction. I remember when I first got a cell phone and texting was just starting out. When I tried to text I just tapped my way through the letters until I finally got the letter I wanted.
Soon texting became popular and predicted text was the way to go. At the time I tried it and hated it. It was so confusing and I just could not get the hang of it. Now that is all I use when texting. I don't know how I ever lived without predicted text.
Texting has changed how we communicate and how we respond to other. Instead of using proper English and full sentences like we were taught to do back in grammar school, we use short phrases and sentences. "Have you seen my BF?" "Ur not here." "WTF is that?" "JK, LOL."
Rather than calling to talk to the person, we take the easy way out and text. Even in the car when it would be easier/safer to call, we text. Fights are battled out between fingers and buttons.
What we implied might not be interpreted the way we intended it to.
I can see if you are at work and can't answer or are in a situation like that, but nine times out of 10 that is not the case. I call you because I want to talk to you. I want to hear your voice. I want to engage in a conversation with you. If you call me and I don't answer but text you it's because I cant answer because I am at work or in a situation like that.
Today we have a stronger relationship with our cell phones than we do with an actual human being. We are addicted to our sleek, flashy, vibrating phones. Each defines who we are by the personalized ring tones, the voice commands, and the photo avatars. They are the first thing we check in the morning and the last thing we check at night.
Before cell phones, we had to interact with the people right in front of us. If we couldn't then we would call and talk over the phone; now, that is gone too. We hardly talk on the phone. Texting has become such an addiction. I remember when I first got a cell phone and texting was just starting out. When I tried to text I just tapped my way through the letters until I finally got the letter I wanted.
Soon texting became popular and predicted text was the way to go. At the time I tried it and hated it. It was so confusing and I just could not get the hang of it. Now that is all I use when texting. I don't know how I ever lived without predicted text.
Texting has changed how we communicate and how we respond to other. Instead of using proper English and full sentences like we were taught to do back in grammar school, we use short phrases and sentences. "Have you seen my BF?" "Ur not here." "WTF is that?" "JK, LOL."
Rather than calling to talk to the person, we take the easy way out and text. Even in the car when it would be easier/safer to call, we text. Fights are battled out between fingers and buttons.
What we implied might not be interpreted the way we intended it to.
I can see if you are at work and can't answer or are in a situation like that, but nine times out of 10 that is not the case. I call you because I want to talk to you. I want to hear your voice. I want to engage in a conversation with you. If you call me and I don't answer but text you it's because I cant answer because I am at work or in a situation like that.
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