I've never really been won over by the text message
revolution. Nor by mobile phones, for that matter. I’ve actually had a mobile
phone from quite early on, acquiring my first brick-like model in 1999. But
this was nothing to do with wanting to be ahead of the technological curve.
Rather, it was because at that time I was commuting long distances in an
ancient car and didn’t want to find myself stranded with no means of calling
for help.
Some fourteen years later, I’m still not an enthusiastic
mobile user. I’ve upgraded my old brick, but still have a pretty basic Nokia.
No smart phone or advanced features for me. My mobile is mainly used for
child-related purposes—the school can contact me if my kids are sick, and I can
call school if I’m caught up in traffic and may be late for pick-up time.
There’s something that I dislike about the immediacy of mobile communication. I
find it mildly irritating that you’re expected to be available and ready to
take calls and messages 24/7. When I’m out of the house or office and away from
my land line I rather like the feeling of being out of contact, of having a few
moments’ precious time to myself, without the constant interruptions of modern
life.
All of this will have to change, though, when my eldest
child goes to secondary school in a few months. I know that if I want to be
kept up to date with my offspring’s movements and whereabouts I’ll have to
adopt texting wholeheartedly. And at that point I will (gritting my teeth!)
have to purchase a smart phone. With the failing eyesight and lack of dexterity
that accompanies middle age, I find typing on my phone’s tiny keypad nigh
impossible.
One of the questions brought up by Radio 4 was what will
replace the text message? Since technologies are fast moving and transient,
high tech companies are always looking for the next best thing. One journalist
suggested that perhaps ‘the great silence’ will follow the text revolution.
Maybe the novelty of instant communication will simply lose its appeal. That
would certainly fit with my current world view. But, in reality, I can’t quite
believe it. Nor would I want this to happen. As I gear up to embrace 24/7
communication, the thought that my eldest child might not communicate with me
while out and about and on the move fills me with dread.
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