Texting

TEXT MESSAGING IS IN, and the popularity of direct voice to voice telephonic chat has waned, it appears. Oh, Americans still get together face-to-face in person, and they still speak on the telephone, but not as much. Why do we like text messaging so very much? It really doesn't seem like such a great thing that it would sweep across civilization in ascending popularity, but it evidently is, because it has. Is it easier, more convenient? More fulfilling? Good thumb exercise? Well... ultimately, all means of communication are good means of communication. Face to face same room conversation is free, still, and more fulfilling, but people are willing to pay a monthly price for communicating conveniently, and easily. Long live all electronic gadgets! But lest we lose track of our heritage, let us forever remember the glass of lemonade on the front porch with neighbors, the family picnic, the beer in the local bar with friends, warm smiles and kind words. I have no smart phone, no television, no computer. An experminent with keeping it simple, and so far it seems to be working. I get much more reading and writing done, with fewer distractions. It is amazing how many people tell me they tried to text me, as if anybody who is anybody participates in texting, and to not participate in it is iconceivable for a modern citizen, unthinkable. And yet, you almost get the impression that all our mdoern marvelous manas of communication have diminished our communication instead of enhancing it, but perhaps that's jsut an illusion. People don't seem to answer their cell phones very often, and they don't seem to make nearly as many phone calls. Is everyone texting? Am I missing out on something? Hello?...