Text messaging is quickly turning cell phones into instant electronic Post-it Notes that have overtaken verbal conversations.
According to a recently-released report by the company Nielsen Mobile, which measures billing activity, the end of 2007 was the first time cell phone users across the board texted more than they phoned, and in the following two quarters the average number of texts per subscriber increased 64 percent. The age group that texts the most, 18- to 24-year-olds, averaged 790 monthly text messages – versus 265 calls – in the second quarter of 2008.
“A phone is for conveying information,” University senior Jethro Higgins said. “I text way more than I call. I don’t like talking because it seems like you’re having a personal interaction, but that’s just false.”
Higgins is not alone.
Texting permeated the University long ago. Roxann Prazniak, associate professor of history in the Clark Honors College, teaches small classes and hasn’t noticed significant texting in class, though she said when class is over students reach for their phones.
Even love letters have been reduced to “i luv u.”
“I don’t think me and my girlfriend ever actually converse over the phone,” Higgins admitted.
QWERTY-style