It seems that the modern day mode of communication for many is text messaging. I see an increasing number of people communicating through texting. I am aware that I am receiving an increasing number of text messages on my cell phone each day and I am wondering why this is seemingly becoming a preferred means of communication. I am hopeful that this is a fad, and that our voice-to-voice human connection of in-person contact will be restored once people realize that the texting limits us.

I write this reluctantly, because I am a writer and a hermeneutic researcher, and as such, I truly value the 'life' that written words can take on for both the writer and reader. Writing and reading calls us to be thoughtful, inquisitive, and creative. I believe that the process of translating an experience into a text has value and can further our understanding of experience, perception, expression, and history. A written text can be more accurate than the spoken word, particularly when it is saved, and texting provides such an opportunity.

Maybe it is my inner musician that longs for the individuality of a human voiced connection. The prosody or music of our speech presents perhaps the most uniquely human quality we present. The timbre, pitch, rhythm, and tone of our speech define an important part of who we are. I value the interchange of voiced communication, and furthermore, I notice the verbal idioms people tend to use in their conversation. We have a common language, but each person has a particular way of expressing - perhaps this comes across in texting, but I believe it is not as pronounced or immediate.

In texting, the trend seems to be, to simplify, and cut back what is communicated. Is why this is favored by a growing number of people, or whether, perhaps, the texting is used simply for quick, easy arrangements and therefore some would argue, does not interrupt the 'live experience' one might be in, in the moment. I would argue that texting pushes people to multi-task, and therefore takes away from the live-moment for both texter and receiver...unless I am in a meeting and needing to tell someone I will be late for the next meeting. (I am certain there are a variety of such circumstances, and for these, texting is invaluable)

I believe that technology and multiple options of communication move us ahead, and I have witnessed texting save lives and increase opportunities. This blog is not addressing such circumstances. This blog is questioning the concern that perhaps this trend is pulling some away from direct human-to-human voiced communication and that something is lost when texting is overused. I would like to hear from you - particularly if you are a fan of frequent texting.