Cell phones have taken a huge role in the lives of people; from the first introduction of a phone with its simple purpose of calling others to the now modernized form of phone use. As cell phones begin to adapt new functions people adapt to them as well. Cell phones are not being used any longer for the solemn purpose of making a call to a friend. In fact not much phone conversation is taking place anymore aside from the sending of text messages with brief conversations. “Texting has surpassed calling as the primary source of cellular communication, based on a recent survey by AT&T” (“Texting is all the rage,” by McClatchy found in the Tribune Business News)
It seems as though society is moving away from the phone calls into the text messaging form of communication. A lot of people would say that it makes things less personal. It is much easier to send a quick and brief message to a friend that have to face their voice on the other side of the line and feel forced to keep a conversation going. To some it is a form of communication that makes matters less personal but to others it seems like the easiest way to communicate. Some find it convenient to just send a brief message instead of taking time out of their oh so busy life to sit and have a conversation via phone. John Narcise said in an interview for the article found in, The Herald Dispatch, entitiled, “Texting goes well beyond a fad,” that he likes text messaging because he can keep things brief.
According to the Nielson Mobile survey found in the article entitled “Americans text more than they talk,” by Marguerite Reardon, people receive an average of 357 text messages per month and only receive 204 calls a month. Marguerite Reardon also points out that the younger teens are making more use of text messaging. They send and receive about 1,742 text messages per month. It is pretty evident that the younger population would be more into the text form of communication. It is hard to say if teens use it just because it’s easier or because it’s less personal. I believe that teens tend to be more social and perhaps do not find trouble in holding phone conversations. Perhaps it’s just because it is a convenient form of communication.
As a teenager I admit to take more use out of the text messaging on my phone than I do of the making regular phone calls. I find that if I have to make just a brief comment I do not want to be bothered with feeling forced to carry on a conversation and might be faced with the awkward silence that we all dread. Instead I send a text messaging say what I have to say and end it there, with no time wasted on senseless talk just to avoid awkward silence. I do not mind making phone calls though if I feel the need to catch up with a friend or have the need to carry on a conversation.
Yet it is not just us teenagers anymore that are taking part in the text messaging world. Corporate people and parents are taking part in text messaging as well as mentioned in, “Texting goes well beyond a fad,” by Jean Tarbett Hardiman. People in the corporate world use text messaging because it’s fast, brief, and quiet. They can text from meetings with out interrupting people. That perhaps is leisure of texting, the fact that one can do it from practically anywhere without having to bother others. And parents are now taking part in text messaging because it’s a quick way of communicating with their children. I am sure we all dread to have our parents call us while we are out with our friends to bother us and ask what time we are coming home. It is best for both if they just text us and we respond quickly without out being embarrassed to say, “it’s my mom again!”
Yet like everything there is always a down fall. The down fall to text messaging is obvious. Though it is an easier form of communication the reality is that it is drawing people away from interacting with each other. Things are done faster, briefer, and easier now. It is like everything has to revolve around this fast paced world of text messaging. Texting limits the amount we can actually say to each other. And we must admit that a lot of phrases used on text message are hard to interpret without hearing the emotion in the person’s voice.
Works Cited:
Tony Holt. "Texting Is All The Rage. " McClatchy - Tribune Business News 27 October 2008 ABI/INFORM Dateline. ProQuest. University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI. 6 Nov. 2008
Marguerite Reardon.“Americans text more than they talk” CNET news 22 September 2008 http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10048257-94.html 6 November 2008
Jean Tarbett Hardiman. “Texting goes well beyond a fad” The Herald-Dispatch 18 August 2008 http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/x809654908/Texting-goes-well-beyond-a-fad 6 November 2008
2 comments:
I text when I want to get straight to the point. It has taken up my phone bill as well ... I have a maximum number of minutes I can use, but texting is unlimited.
Nice job with your essay!
Good job on your essay. I agree with Karra. I text more because there is a cap on minutes but no limit to text messages. Most of my friends aren't on the same network on me, and I don't want to use up my minutes!
So, to answer your question, I think texting is another form of convenience and leisure. Typing is easier than talking because talking requires more thinking.
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