“Sometimes we just need to talk. It’s often inefficient. It can take up valuable time…we may have to give our full attention to the other party. But just imagine the rewards: mutual respect. Immediacy. Clarity. And no more autocorrect…”
– Baratunde Thurston, in “One More Thing,” October 2012 issue of Fast Company
“Just shoot me a text,” I heard myself saying.
“No, no, NO!” fired back the little voice in my head. “You’re both here. Right now! Have a conversation, fer cryin’ out loud!”
When it’s easier to text your friends than to talk to them, maybe the pace of life is gaining at the expense of quality and depth.
Will our kids grow up hunch-backed, carpal-tunnelled and near-sighted, and crash-and-burn in job interviews, or worse, will they e-mail a prospective employer or mentor, “I wud love to wk 4 u!”? And worse-than-worse, will that, from an employers perspective, become ok? Have communication skills been re-defined in such a way that real communication has become optional?
It’s on us to make sure they don’t. And, while I sound more like my grandfather every day, on this topic, I don’t think I’m too far out in left field. Do you?
It’s possible to make a difference with a text. Or an e-mail. In certain situations, it could happen.
On the other hand, with presence — being there — REALLY there, we will, more often than not, make a difference. Face-to-face, fully focused conversation. It’s become rare. We can de-rarify it. Shall we?
Johnathan Crawford says
What cool concept…talking to people in person where you can look in their eyes and see their soul! This is a revolutionary idea! Kind of like sending a hand written thank you note in an envelope with a stamp on it.
Steve Heston says
I know, I know, wacky stuff…
Steve Sanduski says
Another beauty, Steve. You need to tweet this sentence.
“When it’s easier to text your friends than to talk to them, maybe the pace of life is gaining at the expense of quality and depth.”
Steve Heston says
Consider it Tweeted, friend!