Texting vs. Calling
Which is better?
Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships-the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.” The foundation of a human relationship is communication. Undoubtedly, without decent communication skills, the ability to form relationships would be virtually non-existent. Throughout the years, our means of communication have graduated from “snail” mail to email, landline phone calls to mobile phone communication, and most recently the evolution of texting. What on Earth would we do without the ability to text? Would we send each other letters? Would we call someone every single time we have a question? The convenience of texting appeals to society, instead of developing relationships through the menial labor of talking. Both forms of communication have its advantages and disadvantages, although some are more prominent than others. While both are forms of communication, one might argue which is more convenient than the other, which one conveys tone better, and which one has a more positive societal impact.
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For instance, when texting, the person has to await a response from the person they are messaging. On the other hand, when calling someone, the response is nigh instantaneous. Of course, when talking, it is impossible to edit the current conversation. Texting allows people to metaphorically think before they speak, whereas when calling someone while angry, words might be exchanged that are unable to be taken back, especially in the heat of the moment. Although numerous things can be done with texting, contacting an emergency service provider is not one of them. However, it is easy to call emergency operators with a quick dial of 911. Thus, convenience over safety is not
Article “OMG! We've been here B4!” by Clive Thompson is a reflection of what the effects the telephone has on everyday communication as well as the development of the telephone over the years. Thompson however explains that the early days of the telephone weren't seen as a helpful tool for social interaction, but an abate to conversation. When the cell phone first emerged on scene, it was believed that people choose to communicate face-to-face less and call instead. Clive Thompson explores the thought that texting may make people shield their emotions, limit conversations to only the phone, and erode intimacy. Although the telephone had various opinions, the cell phone did not destroy traditional etiquette but altered the way we communicate with one another.
Texting has a sense of immediacy between individuals and allows users to transgress the boundaries of distance. Before the use of mobile phones, technologies such as emailing and paging and even letters allowed individuals to do this, but not with the same speed as texting (Ling, 2005). Informal and natural aspect of texting due to speed involved allows individuals to connect as they would if they were speaking.
Nowadays, the communications with others are different from the traditional ways and normal rules. People take advantage of new technology to communicate instead of face to face. Although the email and text message make people easy to communicate, the society
Using texting as a quicker and more efficient form of communication takes the emotional connection out of the equation. It allows us to not be physically near the recipient or to take responsibility for miscommunications that lead to hurt feelings. While texting, students do not need to make eye contact with their recipient or learn to read their body language. In addition, there is no need to learn the art of persuasive argument or exchanging and building on ideas. This is not only harming students in the classroom, but can have negative effects when entering the workforce. After leaving college, students hope to land a job in their field of expertise. In the workforce, teams are a diverse collection of persons – all ages and different cultures. Texting may be acceptable in some situations, but there is still a great need for face to face interactions. We learn how to become more comfortable meeting new people and interviewing for jobs. There is nothing wrong the light banter between friends that texting can provide, but the conversation is not necessarily deep.
Calling someone is now a sacred ritual. Unless it is a business call or an emergency, people now veer towards text messaging. It is a quick and easy alternative that does not interrupt someone’s day or force them into conversation. Sherry Turkle and Jenna Wortham discuss this issue in their respective essays. While Turkle believes that this is because the current generation is one of distance, Wortham believes that it is a matter of maturity. I believe that Turkle’s approach to this argument is more effective because she provides more evidence.
Instant gratification has become the social norm in this generation but is diminishing the quality of communication. Cell phones have changed massively in the past few years, making communication weaken each time cell phones are updated. At first, cell phones were just used for calling. Calling was the only operation that they were capable of and most of the time calling was not even convenient on a cell phone. Although the concept of texting has been out for decades, actual texting became available to all society in 1994 (Turrettini). Texting instantly
“Can you remember the last time you were in a public space in America and didn’t notice that half the people around you were bent over a digital screen, thumbing a connection to somewhere else?” (Fredrickson, 2013, pg. 1). In a world today where sending a text message containing the message “I luv you,” is equally powerful to that statement said in person to your significant other. Today’s generation is surrounded by the constant need to have technology and mainly cell phones at your fingertips. Gone are the days when people would talk to one another whilst standing in line, now it is all about having and using your cell phone to pass the time. All of this takes bondage on having an interpersonal relationship with each other and conversing
I feel that friendships have changed dramatically from what they used to be years ago. I can remember being a child who didn’t have a phone and the only talking I did with my friends was at school. The text message has taken the effort out of a friendship. When we wanted to talk with a friend we had to actually have a face-to-face meeting and spend quality time with them. Now with a few key strokes and a little bit of time, we can send a long paragraph of what information we are wanting to share. The text message has enabled us to spend less time with the physical relationship with our friends and give us more time to be able to do the more important things in our life. William Deresiewicz states “Friendship is devolving, in other words, from a relationship to a feeling” and I could not agree more. The amount of effort we put into a friendship is defined by how much time we have available to spend on our Facebook page talking to others.
There is an ongoing curiosity about why electronic devices are so irresistible. It is flabbergasting and utterly disappointing that people of all ages, including hypocritical parents lecturing teens about their texting addiction, “would prefer to communicate over text rather than meeting face to face”(mobile commons). Although technology has its benefits of quick communication and always staying in touch with others, the amount of common sense lost to technology has a stronger and more detrimental effect on one 's future. As people become more dependent on the technology that sits in the palms of their hands, the social skills one
Everyone wants to stay connected in each others lives by never missing a beat. More like never missing a text message in this day and age. Life is constantly finding its way to become full of responsibilities with little time to take a break as it is. Texting my family and friends is easier to respond to when I 'm taking care of my daughter and studying for school. Even a phone call seems better so I can multitask, cleaning the house or driving while talking on the phone. Communication is an essential key and important human need. By using technology, there is a deeper connection to communicating than some acknowledge.
As this article state about the cons of using modern ways of communication and lacking of feelings, I feel that at some extend, I agree with author’s opinion. As Jim Taylor points out, “Kids want to be hugged and touched; they don’t want to be texted. There’s basic need to fill that social bond” (Johnson, Chandra), this explains the truth. We can not always express the feelings of sympathetic and empathetic through texting or phone call. This modern technology did change our lifestyle. In addition, people do use texting or other messaging applications to avoid complications talks instead of talking to another person face to face and also create a language barrier between them.
Consequently, people who text a lot may be more uncomfortable with in-person communication.” Taking this information into account, it becomes clear that cell phones have essentially decreased face-to-face socialization and have socially affected those who use cell phones as a main source of communication. Along with the absence of face-to-face social interaction, arises the issue of resolving problems via text rather than in person. Cell phones have provided a way to hide behind technology from emotionally distressing events, such as ending relationships (Campbell, 2005).
The ability to communicate quickly and efficiently allows for the transmission of important data instantaneously. One such example of this is emergency text messages that can be provided to individuals for natural disasters. Should a natural disaster be about to affect an area such as a tornado, sever storm, flood, etc., people that live in that area can have emergency texts sent to their phones to warn them about the impending danger. This can literally save the lives of those who would have been otherwise caught unaware of the potential danger that they were in. Additionally, text messaging allows for people to maintain personal relationships with those that they do not have the ability to see on a regular basis. As a study showed, the average teenager uses the text message for about 54% of their interactions with their friends. Face-to-face talking was actually the third most used method of communication, weighing in at 33%. The ability of instant, efficient communication that the text message provides can help people maintain a relationship with a friend when the two literally live on opposite sides of the country (Minshall, 2012).
ii. However, for many of us, face-to-face communication seems to be a dying art – replaced by text messaging, e-mails, and social media. Human communication and interactions are shaped by available technologies
Texting is an easier way to have small conversations and is more convenient. Texting can be faster and easier than calling. Although it is faster and easier, it can cause confusion or take longer because of further explanation. When reading a message, you have to interpret the emotion and tone of voice used. Sometimes a nice remark can be perceived as offensive or sarcastic when texted. Texting takes full concentration and thought, making it organized and professional. Texting can be documented in order to refer back to previous conversations. You can save memories from the past and communicate and send pictures through text messages. Texting is a quick, easy way to communicate, but for long or personal conversations, you may want to make a phone