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| For this year's challenge, my theme is The Fun in Writing. Each of my 26 posts for April is aimed at illustrating fun parts of an author's day. A writer doesn't only write. Creating a story or an essay requires research, revision, editing, and lots and lots of coffee and chocolate. T is for TELEGRAMS, TELEPHONES, then TEXTING
So
often, we are reminded of the inadequacies of the various methods of
communication. Begin with face-to-face communication, when the speaker’s words
are in direct opposition to the facial expression or body language. We say, “No
problem,” while our eyes squint at the person who knocked the cell phone out of
our hand.
Telegrams
delivered heartrending news during the wars, informing families of a loved one's death; or news of someone missing in action. But telegrams also
announced good news, such as births. My father received a telegram in the army notifying him when I was born.
Now
we have instant messaging, but the service is often no more reliable than
telegrams or mail that was once sent on ships across the ocean. Emails are misinterpreted; text messages are "spell-checked" by computer to become unintelligible or downright comedic.
As
much fun as it is to complain about poor service from companies such as Verizon or Microsoft,
I wonder, with some trepidation, if we could ever successfully survive a full-grid power
failure.
How could we fend for ourselves with no e-Reader, Wi-Fi, or iPhone to keep us connected?
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For my project of posting poems in order from ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING, the following is
#32
ALWAYS CONNECTED
Letters, addressed
Stamped and postmarked
Mailed
Delivered
Read
Telegrams, then air mail
Telephones and texting
Computers and skype
Instant contact through
Email smiley faces
Facebook games
Twitter characters
News first hand
Almost before it occurs
Births
Marriages
Careers
Instant karma in an electronic age
Where will the world be
When the lights go out?
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Friday, April 22, 2016
T is for TELEGRAMS, TELEPHONES, then TEXTING #AtoZChallenge
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Agghhh misinterpretation of emails.. agghhhh....
ReplyDeleteBut hooray for evolution of communication!
~AJ Lauer
an A-Z Co-host
@ayjaylauer
I agree AJ.
DeleteI don't think I've ever sent or received a telegram though I used to wire money a lot through Western Union when I was working on a road show. I still haven't mastered texting and don't much like it either. For now I'd prefer to stick to talking on the telephone.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
And I am just the opposite, Arlee. I prefer texting because I don't often get a word in edgewise on telephone conversations. Thank you for visiting today.
DeleteWhatever the method, clarity is the key.
ReplyDeleteYou know, we survived without all that stuff for years. It'd be a pain going back to a world without one, but I think a lot of us old-timers would survive. The young folks, I'm not so sure...
ReplyDeleteJohn Holton
Blogging from A to Z Challenge Co-Host
The Sound of One Hand Typing