I Don’t Text

By Richard Dowson Opinion/Commentary

I don’t Text. I have a cellphone; have had one since 1991, but I don’t Text.

When I tell people I don’t Text, they are shocked. I’m confronted with, “How could anyone live in today’s world and not Text.”

“Pretty easily.” I reply with a smile.

Why don’t I Text? That’s simple. If I send a Text, someone they will reply. Then I have to respond to their reply.

I don’t want to reply! People who get a Text message are forced to reply. It is part of the game – part of the process – I send you – you send me.

How do I communicate?

I use my cellphone to make phone calls. It is convenient. People answer, we speak and it is over. Most of what I need to say in a Text message I can say in a phone conversation.

I also kept my ‘land-line’ telephone. It is cheap – efficient – I can call by brother in Ontario and it has call-display. I can look at the number and if I don’t want to answer or ‘reply’, I don’t.

The land-line is attached to an answering machine. If it is important the person can leave a message. With a land-line anyone can look up my phone number in the Phone-Book or the Internet.

Email?

I email. It’s like texting – I send an email and then answer an email. It can become a loop if I’m not careful. But emails can sit and wait for answers. Mine are usually just thoughts and I try and keep them short. People hate reading long emails.

My methods of communication – that don’t include Texting, are all modern, cheap and simple.

What if it is an emergency?

I’m retired. I’ve got time. If there is an emergency, someone will phone me on the cellphone or land-line.

Texting can be Addictive

Because Texting is a ‘back-and-forth’ activity, it can be addictive. Anticipating an unpredictable reply to a Text can trigger a dopamine ‘rush’ in the brain.

Needing to know the response to your Text has people carrying their cellphones everywhere. They check them all the time. The Text is like pulling the handle on a slot machine. You want to know the answer. Four cherries?

Adolescents are vulnerable to Texting Addiction. Needing a reply can trigger a ‘dopamine loop’, leading to addiction.

Enjoy Texting – but don’t Text me. If all else fails, call me. I’m in the book.

Writer Richard Dowson is a retired educator.

He is known for his frequenting local coffee shops and other places seniors gather.

In a previous life he wrote comedy for CHED in Edmonton.

His views may or may not reflect the views of this publication.

As an aside editor Robert Thomas doesn’t have data and so rarely texts