OMGWTF! Txt Msgs Turn 20!

[Nergol]

The first text message was sent twenty years ago today, on December 3rd, 1992. Yes, believe it or not, the world actually did used to get along without them:

http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/3/3721266/text-message-20-year-anniversary-neil-papworth

Maybe it's silly to bring up this anniversary, but it's amazing how much this has become a part of our lives. Even now, I don't think I ever actually talk on the phone with anyone under 60. It's all texts, IMs, iMessages, and the like. Which is great, actually, because I never liked talking on the phone anyway, even when it was basically the only form of instant communication available. So here's to the text message, which made talking to people, especially people I don't like, that much more bearable.

kthxbye

[Darth Geek]

Wow, I had no idea it was that old.

Yeah, i text a lot too. I never thought I would, but once I got used to it (on an old phone that didn't have a full keybord even), I like it. Now my new phone has really good voice recognition that I like too. I know people say" why don't you just talk on the phone", but I find I really like that it keeps track of the conversation. And people seem to respond to texts sooner anyway.

[Variety of Cells]

I remember being opposed to texts. It seemed a technological step backwards, like we had gone back to the telegram. But their usefulness comes from two social aspects that I didn't recognize before I started texting. 1: Texts request a short, too-the-point answer. This increases the probability of receiving that answer if the other person is busy, which is benefit number 2: Its acceptable to text and read texts in many more situations than it is to take a phone call. Be it while I'm on set at work, out to eat, or in a library, I can still be contacted and respond. Which is very important for a freelancer like me who gets all his jobs through texts.

Some people, like my fiancé, hate being able to be contacted all the time. But I see it as a benefit because my friends and bosses aren't as annoying.