The smartphone is
gradually morphing into what was once the television remote or the toaster, everyone
in the world has to have one. When we send instant messages using emoticons,
pictures, videos and graphic design files we are helping to shape modern
language.
The obvious appeal of
instant messaging is its speed.
Back when most computing was done on a desktop, people used to complain about how much pressure they felt to quickly respond to an e-mail. In those days, it was understood that you might have walked away from your desk. Today, there is no socially acceptable excuse for being without your smartphone. If you receive an instant message now, you are obliged instantaneously to reply to it – to confirm you are not one of those people who can be without a smartphone.
Back when most computing was done on a desktop, people used to complain about how much pressure they felt to quickly respond to an e-mail. In those days, it was understood that you might have walked away from your desk. Today, there is no socially acceptable excuse for being without your smartphone. If you receive an instant message now, you are obliged instantaneously to reply to it – to confirm you are not one of those people who can be without a smartphone.
The instant messaging
functionality of smartphone apps has reached a new frenzy. Companies such as
Apple’s iMessage, Skype, Live and WeChat and WhatsApp are evolving to become
the rumor mills of choice among people around the globe and for social-media
users. Messaging is now superseding other platforms in trustworthiness and
challenging them in popularity. We trust information on messaging platforms
because information comes from family and friends and not strangers.
Our smartphones may shape
our consciousness, but it is our consciousness that makes us credible as
productive humans. For the moment, instant messaging is here to stay, but it is
ultimately an interim technology. Once the capacity of our smartphones
increases to even better mobile messaging platforms, we are likely to see more
pictograms, musical messages and videos. Till then we can enjoy these apps on
our phones to express a wider range of emotions to enhance our instant
communications with family, friends and co-workers.
Once upon a time, people
used to worry about what new technologies would do to our minds. People used to
worry about shorter attention spans, how we would forget to read, and not have
any meaningful time for personal relationships because of technology. But
today, we live in the time of the available self. Our smartphones, apps and
instant messages are the right measure for uniqueness in our lives. Only our
personal taste decides which character trait we wish to emphasize in
our messages.
our messages.
No comments:
Post a Comment