Is Text Our Worst or Best Invention?
I can see it both ways.
People do a lot of messed-up stuff on text.
Arguments, insults, attacks, break-ups.
Also, love notes, proposals, wonderful messages of support.
Sexting. Sending nude photos.
I hate gut punches on text. (Or email.) Writing what you don’t have the fortitude to say in person is a coward’s move — and I say that as a writer.
Some things should be said face-to-face.
We are human beings … and our humanity cannot be reduced to glowing letters on a screen.
I love words, I love letters, I love writing. But some serious things need to be said aloud while looking in the eyes of another human being.
We need to take care of each other — and that’s easier to remember when the person is sitting in front of you, not just represented by letters flashing on a little screen.
Sometimes I think text is our worst invention. And sometimes I think it’s one of our best.
(Who doesn’t love a 😘 or a “Hey baby!” in the middle of another boring budget meeting? This is fantastic!)
But mostly I realize text is just a tool like everything else — maybe you could call it a word knife — and you can either use it to make a delicious meal or you can cut yourself (or someone else) badly with it.
So I might ask you: How are you holding the blade?
Bonus Read:
