I was annoyed at my cousin (14) who kept texting the entire time I was visiting - non-stop. knowing him to be a smart kid otherwise, I asked wasn't this going back in technology when you could call and convey the message in a few seconds? He seemed to agree but couldn't kick the habit.

That made me thinking, that when it comes to communication, we as men (or atleast the more introverted among us - language-usage-wise) always prefer lower and lower levels of intimacy while communicating with friends - texting is preferable to email is preferable to calling is preferable to meeting.. I wonder if a semaphore simulation on a cellphone would ever catch up!

I do as well. I can take SMS on my own time, in my browser, and answer thoughtfully when I feel like it.

The advocates of a "quick call" are really quite selfish. It may be quick for you, but it really sucks for me when I'm in a meeting, deep in conversation, in the restroom, or any other situation when my phone tends to ring.

Of course, Scott Adams went into more detail: http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/wireless_voice_calls_are_obsol...

Ah yes, spending 5 minutes and 15 texts to accomplish what a quick 30 second phone call would have done.

I hate SMS. My fingers are too unwieldly to type long messages on a cellphone.