A Text Generation
I started this post months ago. It’s embarassing how long it’s been since I last posted. Where does the time go???
Having joined “the text generation” some years ago, and watching my kids grow up with it in their adolescent years and beyond, I have often wondered what the effects would be, compared to “life before text”.
Here are some of my observations:
It’s not nearly as frightening to approach those of the opposite sex, as it used to be. Back in my grandparent’s day, one had to speak face to face, if they wanted to get to know someone, or show interest in doing so. Imagine that! FACE TO FACE! Blushing skin, shaking knees and all!
Later, with the invention and widespread use of telephones, it became a little easier. But one had to still try not to stammer, or sound the way they felt.
Then along came the internet, with it’s amazing capability to communicate via email. This took the whole process to yet another level. No risk of “looking” or “sounding” nervous or afraid. Just say it, and hope for the best. But somehow, with or without realizing it, message context could be changed, as it lacked “tone of voice”. Compliments could be misconstrued as sarcasm. Sincerity as a joke. Definitely a serious flaw in the system.
Today we have cell phones, capable of sending and receiving text messages at any time and in nearly any place. Convenient? Yes, for the most part. At least as far as delivering information is concerned. An effective form of interpersonal communication? NO! In fact, in my opinion it’s probably the WORST! Like email, it lacks the ability to deliver the most important part of the message: tone of voice, which, in turn, portrays feelings.
Along with the “help” of social networks, text messaging and email have taken all the “work” out of our social lives. We no longer need to approach others on a personal level, without first testing the “climate” though the sterile world of electronics. Want to know all about someone before taking the “risk” of approaching them? Go Cyber-Stalking. It’s as easy as that. No more “blind” dates, or need to ask questions to get to know someone. It’s all right there. Then, after checking out someone’s “credentials”, all it takes is a quick, impersonal text or email message to ask if they want to “hang out” (another completely impersonal and commitment free way to further test the water), with no risk whatsoever of divulging any feelings.
What is all this doing to us socially? Is it having any effects on our character? Does it affect our relationships? Our marriages? Our ability to truly communicate? I would love to know what professionals have seen as a result of all of this.
One huge effect I have noticed is what it’s done to the younger generation’s spelling and grammar. All it takes is a quick visit to a social network of college age and younger kids to see that. I used to think it was funny, the crazy way kids spell things. Now I think it’s pathetic. Maybe I’m old fashioned, and yes, I do realize that predictive text can fill in unintended words that may not be caught before hitting the “enter” or “send” button, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the use of “then” for than, and the really mixed up use of “there”, “their”, they’re”, and similar words. And then there are the “invented” words. Those I’ve never heard or seen in the English language. Wow. I wonder how that will go over in the professional world?
