In 1973, Motorola launched a revolutionary product that forever changed communication and social culture around the world. This heavy, awkward-looking device allowed for wireless communication and contributed to the decline of sending letters through the post or going to someone's house to talk (Alfred). We now call this device a cell phone. Since the first cell phone was released in 1973, technological advances have improved its portability, weight, and compatibility, so much so that approximately 90% of all Americans own a cell phone (Pew Research). These advances also helped develop SMS, a form of communication that transmits messages within seconds. Texting has attracted younger generations, especially those aged 18 to 24, thanks to its unique and quick slang like "lol" (laugh out loud) and "brb" (I'll be right back) (Netlingo.com ). In a recent survey, over 31% of young adults prefer a text message over a voice call (Pew Research). However, calling, a more traditional conversation, remains widely used and is the preferred communication method for more than 51% of young adults (Pew Research). The preferred contact method may be personal, but calling and texting both have advantages and disadvantages. They differ in convenience, interpretation, privacy and security. Many adults working in various industries and professions complain of not having enough time in the day. In today's world, many people, especially busy ones, overuse texting and avoid calling. The main reason is that SMS allows an individual to send and receive messages within seconds. Texting has become so convenient and overly used that, according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Betty Lui reported that nearly…half the paper… The shortcomings of texting all point in the direction that calling, while traditional, remains the best alternative to communication. Texting and calling will continue to be important means of communication, but these forms will be on the opposite spectrum. Unfortunately, some people prefer and feel more comfortable with texting than calling. Texting may be convenient and allow for privacy, but calling offers the opportunity to experience a traditional conversation. Calling forces people to step away from texting jargon and interact socially. I refuse to accept the idea of calls being replaced by text messages. The only ones to blame are themselves or perhaps the phone companies who create unlimited texting plans. If every text message was like a pay phone that cost fifty cents, I think people would stop texting and start calling.
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