One Big Text Mess

Another puzzling text message

YYURYYUBICURYY4ME?

Ray Bradbury first predicted this common societal distastefulness and failure of hasty thought we’ve sunk into now in contemporary society. Friends and colleagues misconstrue our texts for lack of tone and intent. Indigestible digests, flashy buzzwords and top level tweets all have become our contagious disease filled with adverse effects.

One of my work colleagues surprised me when he faced a tight deadline for his monthly advice column. He waited until the last day before his persuasive and informative article was due and then fastidiously filled out a magnanimous 700 word stream of consciousness, in ninety minutes flat. And it worked! He’s put himself into a good place to accomplish such a splendid feat, while evolving into a better person. His chosen broad background helps large to augment the quality which he spills organically from his fine pen. Perhaps he’s studied Alvin Toffler tomes to prepare for the Future Shock we find in our presence.

It’s true that some folks work better under pressure and I admire my friend for this sharp writing skill he’s developed. So maybe it is I, this Luddite, who needs to hasten his pace and catch up with our reckless era. With speedy serenity and prayer to boot! Yet, something about my friend’s quick working formula strikes me as potential for overlooking key points of information. 

Citizen toolbox class teachers like to reinforce the fact that showing up in person is usually the most effective way for accomplishing whatever mission you might be pursuing. Next in descending order comes: video-phones, regular phones and letter writing. Then we have carrier pigeons, smoke signals and e-mails. Lagging last are text messages and birdy telegraph wires. Marathon runner notes fluctuate with conditions. So why would you ever want to send a text message again, when most of these healthier communication options are still so freely available for applying your vital messages with uppermost clarity? Call our friends while we can. And let's show up well for each other, too!

Average wordsmiths can develop our mediocre skills with bound determination and passionate interest. Polished messages shine with enough time invested to delicately mull over each phrase and word. Frequently a 400-worder like this requires a good seven hours of midnight ethanol invested into the wee hours. Not including enduring timeless walks, crowned with hypnogogic-reverie naps to help process and nudge these focused thoughts through to the surface before consideration of zealous sharing. 

Accomplishing this at a suitable beat even comes down to a matter of respect for loyal readers.  

So, I think it’s healthy for us to have a couple of three works perpetually in motion that we can add and subtract to. A fluctuating living organism, much like newspapers themselves. Not to be blind to specific advantages quantum computing brings from our future, but more a cautionary tale and how we might discuss euphoric openings in the expansive digital arena, and how we might best apply those…

Answer

Too wise you are, too wise you be, I see you are, too wise for me!