http://www.newsome.org/2006/09/email-as-quaint-as-those-old-letters/ Kent Newsome on technology, music and life Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:43:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.newsome.org/2006/09/email-as-quaint-as-those-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-4333 picturegrl Mon, 11 Sep 2006 12:24:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/newsome/?p=3186#comment-4333 I'm not a big fan of text messaging. I don't know why. And as a 33-year-old writer/photographer, I don't really consider myself part of the "younger" generation anymore. But I have to admit that email/instant messaging is my preferred method of communicaiton as well. I actually met my best friend through my website two years ago, and have been privileged to spend time with him and his family several times, even though we live almost a thousand miles apart. As freelancers, we both have missed having co-workers during the day. Now, through IM, we effectively have those moments in the day of popping a head over a virtual cubicle to say, "Man, this project SUCKS," or "God, I'm so hungry. What are you having for lunch?" or "You know, work is so slow right now. I don't know what I'm going to do if I don't pick up a few more clients this week."And while we do occasionally talk by phone, I've found that IM offers a more open, honest form of communication in real-time. I've shared secrets I'd never admit to in person, and been able to resolve conflicts and hurt feelings far more quickly through the benefit of having to think a moment and being able to retract hastily typed, angry words. Rather than detracting from my real life friendships, my online friendships seem to enhance them and illustrate more clearly the individual things I share with each person. Text messaging though.... I just don't get it. I'm not sure why. It's a logical leap from IM, but feels different somehow. Even though I have a BlackBerry, I still IM from it instead of text. Most of my friends don't carry their phones all the time, so texting would be pointless with them. Again, maybe a generational thing. I’m not a big fan of text messaging. I don’t know why. And as a 33-year-old writer/photographer, I don’t really consider myself part of the “younger” generation anymore. But I have to admit that email/instant messaging is my preferred method of communicaiton as well. I actually met my best friend through my website two years ago, and have been privileged to spend time with him and his family several times, even though we live almost a thousand miles apart. As freelancers, we both have missed having co-workers during the day. Now, through IM, we effectively have those moments in the day of popping a head over a virtual cubicle to say, “Man, this project SUCKS,” or “God, I’m so hungry. What are you having for lunch?” or “You know, work is so slow right now. I don’t know what I’m going to do if I don’t pick up a few more clients this week.”And while we do occasionally talk by phone, I’ve found that IM offers a more open, honest form of communication in real-time. I’ve shared secrets I’d never admit to in person, and been able to resolve conflicts and hurt feelings far more quickly through the benefit of having to think a moment and being able to retract hastily typed, angry words. Rather than detracting from my real life friendships, my online friendships seem to enhance them and illustrate more clearly the individual things I share with each person. Text messaging though…. I just don’t get it. I’m not sure why. It’s a logical leap from IM, but feels different somehow. Even though I have a BlackBerry, I still IM from it instead of text. Most of my friends don’t carry their phones all the time, so texting would be pointless with them. Again, maybe a generational thing.

]]> http://www.newsome.org/2006/09/email-as-quaint-as-those-old-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-4334 Steve Newson Mon, 11 Sep 2006 10:07:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/newsome/?p=3186#comment-4334 In the same way that internet capability marks a generational divide, the ability to (rapidly) text on a mobile phone marks another (in my opinion). I watch in awe the thumb prowess of the young texters, but I do wonder if it's all that healthy in the long run on the thumbs involved. In the same way that internet capability marks a generational divide, the ability to (rapidly) text on a mobile phone marks another (in my opinion). I watch in awe the thumb prowess of the young texters, but I do wonder if it’s all that healthy in the long run on the thumbs involved.

]]>