Any problem or situation that used to call for a thought-out and tactful diatribe–coupled with well-placed inflections and a knack for communication subtlety–now can be solved with the kind of impulse typing and typos any under-developed 10-year-old could master. This means both lions and meerkats are hidden under the veil of the typed word (whether e-mail or text); the latter taking full advantage of this new loophole, a crutch that almost erases his once-crippling social skills. It seems any Simba can act like the king of the hill while hiding behind smoke and mirrors.
Divorce? Breakup? Quitting a job? The kind of situation that used to test the character of men (and women), to weed out the weak from the well spoken, can now be handled by any sweaty and stuttering man child, confident only behind the safety of their phone’s keypad or computer screen.
We’ve all been the culprit and the victim of such e-unpleasantries, arguments and confrontations (even business deals and breaks) that would have never transpired over a good old-fashioned face-to-face meeting or phone call. And I think we all know, flowery writing and narrative aside, that it is easier typed than said, easier to fluff up and show your teeth via written word (no room there for debate, rebuttal or your own auditory slip-ups, word loss or shaky voices). But now I’m asking the computer nerds, skinny bullies and predators who can’t fill the suit to step out from behind their computers and iPhones and be seen. Your strong-armed e-mails and texts may have gotten you this far in a world that is growing to advocates technology-advanced communication, but I am here to tell you your time is up: we can see through your bulls&%t.
What caused this regression (and it is a regression) from voice to writing? In 1900 people were watching silent movies, reading on-screen dialogue, waiting for a new breakthrough in technology. Twenty years later, we were able to have sound movies—the amazement of spoken voice! We were so excited to be able to evolve from typewriters and silent films to phones and ‘talkies’ on TV. Now we’d sooner type then pick up the phone. And the only ones who are benefiting are the wimps, the Biff Tannens of the world.
And it is our fault. Blame it on yourself. Blame it on Steve Jobs. Blame it on LG (they run a national texting champtionship with a grand prize of $50,000 for the faster texter.)
There are a few things in life that can make you a better, more respected person and these “secrets” are really just common sense. When you have two choices in life, the hardest is always the right one. Such is the case with confrontation and business: pick up the phone. Instead of 10 e-mails back and forth bickering over some project, call the extension. You’ll get a surprised but intimidated recipient, who will respect you all the more for your “old-school” approach. Divorces, break-ups, trysts – they all deserve the same voice-to-voice attention you give to the local pizza delivery chain.
I encourage you to pick up the phone and call me (215-713-3866, Ext 604). Tell me what you think about this article; vent about how you hate the site, my writing, the dotcom industry. Just please, no more black-and-white e-mails of a lion cub pretending he can roar.
AroundPhilly Staff
