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Senior Moments

Category: Technology / Topics: Change Computers (and other Digital devices) Science & Technology

Texting

by Dan Seagren

Posted: June 26, 2011

There is a lot of talk about “texting” today. Some of us ol' timers hardly fathom what texting is.…

There is a lot of talk about “texting” today. Some of us ol' timers hardly fathom what texting is. My latest Webster's 1200 page Dictionary/Thesaurus doesn't include it cuz' it's ancient (2006). Nor does my computer (it's an antique too – 2005 but still works).

Let's probe into texting a little. Basically, it involves (usually) two nimble thumbs (get that? Nimble), a cell phone (or its big brother like a Blackberry), an Internet Connection so if nobody replies all is not lost. One can check the fading art, email or watch a movie or heaven forbid, text someone else who is on the phone. Someone's granddaughter had just got off the phone with her friend when she texted her. Hmm.

There are those experts out there who worry about lots of things (although they often miss some important things to worry about). They warn us that socialization may be in jeopardy (like normal conversation) because of excessive texting. They may be right.

I could easily text but I don't. Oops. Not easily. My cell phone (used basically for emergency stuff) allows texting but no keyboard. So, to say “Barb, I'll be home at six o'clock if the traffic isn't too bad,” I'd really struggle. Why, because each number has three letters, So, that message would look like this, numerically: 2272 4 94ll 22 4663 28 6 76 43 (Barb I will be home at 6 PM if . . . and that doesn't count clicking those numbers 1, 2, or 3 times) So, texting was invented: 4 46 6 (only 7 clicks ) – I hm 6. Not bad.

I don't know how many cell phones are used worldwide but it is a huge number. Nor do I know how many click with their thumbs versus fingers. Nor do I know when they began. Maybe before kindergarten for some as I know some kids teach themselves to read before they start school.

My senior moment arrived in an email with some SENIOR TEXTING CODE. Here is a sampling: ATD – At the Doctors ; BFF Best Friend Fell; BTW – Bring the Wheelchair; FWIW – Forgot Where I Was; GGPBL – Gotta Go Pacemaker Battery Low; MHWO – My Hearing Aid Was On; TTYLNT – Talk to You Louder Next Time; OMMR – On My Massage Recliner; LOL seems universal, maybe: Lots of Love.

LOL



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Dan Seagren is an active retiree whose writings reflect his life as a Pastor, author of several books, and service as a Chaplain in a Covenant Retirement Community.

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Posted: June 26, 2011   Accessed 151 times

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