Text Messaging: Bittersweet Efficiency

Josh Colby

DTC 375

Jason Farman

1.27.09

Word Count: 1,191

Text messaging: Bittersweet Efficiency

Interestingly enough, no matter what anyone writing on the topic of text messaging or many other convenient and efficient types of communication from email to social networking websites in my generation, whether it is an argument for or against the medium, chances are that they are themselves entrenched in its use. All of that to say that while I can objectively look at a communication medium such as text messaging and criticize it for its many qualities that attract my concern for what it is doing and has done to our society, we use it. I use it. It is widespread and the only real feasible tech that increasingly efficient yet less personal media like texting can give way to is I believe techs that become increasingly more efficient as it amplifies its own pros and cons.

As mentioned in the introduction, among the very efficient technologies that allow us instant and fast communication with one another, I chose text messaging. This is because that, of the several media that allow us to communicate, texting is one of the widely used by me and I believe among those in my generation. While I’m sure I would check my Facebook on and send email and use the internet on a phone if it had those capabilities within a reasonable price, the reality is that I don’t and plenty of people are in the same boat as me. However, texting is very simple, basically being very short and informal email messages, and a good texting plan doesn’t cost very much relatively speaking. So again, since it is widely used compared to the more pricey alternatives of cell phone communication, this is a good platform to explore the ins and outs of the medium as pertaining to why people use it and its effects on those that use it, and perhaps where it is taking us.

First off, the most obvious point I need to clarify is that it’s not just the fact that it [texting] is cheaper to use than other media that makes it so widely used. Texting in many ways is a phenomenon to me because of its enigmatic nature. It is a very compelling medium. The why behind that statement can be argued I’m sure by using multiple theories about what make people tick, but I’m going to stick with security. Many may not really notice it as they use texting but as a medium, texting rarely encroaches upon ones sense of security, personal space, boundaries, etc. Text message communicating leaves you to interpret based on sight alone, i.e. in seeing the text. You cannot interpret someone’s body language, disposition, or tone; information that we normally would have if talking to someone in person and in hearing their voice. I notice that because of this, people have a lot more balls to say certain things over text than in person because that sense of security is left intact. To say certain things in an in person setting or even over the phone would leave you vulnerable to others reactions. Seeing these reactions and hearing the sound of them is much more personal and intimate compared to just texting something to someone. I think that this is probably the strongest reason behind the avid use of the technology.

Big deal though, right? You can do that over email. However, that sense of security matched with the faced paced efficiency of texting compared to having to log on to an email account potentially at a computer that you have to boot up is bar none. Granted, they have email over the phone which is nice, but texting is still widely used because it’s just faster. I can have a conversation with five people all at once, or I can hide behind the impersonality of the medium if I want to say something that should left to a more personal setting all without breaching my security that much. If someone isn’t into it because for security reasons, people still use it all the time for its efficiency. I could take care of an order of business in one text rather than a short phone call or meeting all without seeming rude. Excellent. These benefits however are not without their consequences.

This a generalization, but I believe that if everyone were to boil down their greatest priorities in life down to only a couple or a few things, at the top of the list would be the relationships in their life, e.g. their family, friends, etc. Texting and similar media allow communication with all of these people, but it has begun to sacrifice the personal touch to many of these relationships that generates some of the greatest feelings of gratification in life. Not that it has compromised them altogether, but as the newer generations are growing into this technology more than any other generations before it, I think that impersonal media like this dumb down certain important personal social skills. What if someone develops their personal relationships with people over texting more than in person? This actually happens. Let’s say you meet someone in a chat room, you exchange numbers, and then start getting to know each other more over text. Let’s also say that you’re a teen. What happens when you meet this person for the first time? Granted, it could work, but also you could come to realize that this person you’ve been chatting with might not even be the person they thought they were.

Texting allows you to miss someone’s physical style of communicating and their personality is almost completely lost in translation as well. Certain things should just be done more in person or by actually hearing someone’s voice rather than over an impersonal media. There is SO much room for misinterpreting the content portrayed through the medium that it can create something false in the minds of those who use it in the place of a more intimate way of relating to each other.

All of this is to say that this medium, while coming out other media like email, has become a medium all in its own because of its widespread use, efficiency, and effects that come with it. So much more can be done through this medium with so many contacts, yet while using you become less acquainted with the present and in being personal with people. It’s not to say that we are doomed, but it’s not teaching us a good lesson in relationship. Ever tried talking someone while they are texting? Some are getting very good at it, but it still is irritating at times. It’s like they’re not being personal when you are trying to be. They are in another moment when they should be in that one with you.

This medium is here to stay. I will continue to use it because almost everyone I know except for the especially “out-of-touch” people. It is incredibly efficient and convenient to use, and because of that it fits perfectly in this culture. I wonder though what the next generation will be like socially because of many technologies just like text messaging.