Texting to the End of the World

So, I know I am not the first person to comment on how texting and the "innovation" of cell phones has marked the beginning of the decline of the American Kid. But, as everything must be beaten until dead before people can understand...allow me to do my part. Besides, my story has less to do with those under the age of 21 and more with adults who are addicted to their phones.

So I can understand the convenience of the text message. It helps to avoid the long conversations and can aid much in the "pick up a gallon of milk before you come home" to-do list, but when it's a substitution for a face to face conversation, then I must draw the line. What is he talking about, you ask?

The other night I went out with a couple of friends to a bar to celebrate a new job/internship. We all sat at the bar, me on the far left and the other two on my right. We were each enjoying a beer and exchanging conversations and catching up on our lives. As I have gotten use to, phones were on the bar and periodically they would receive, reply, and repeat a text message. No big deal, pretty much status quo now a days.

We moved to the pool table for a game. These two, man and woman, with a little history between them, were continually texting. I noticed they were not talking to each other. I figured one was mad or scorned or something that prevented conversation. I causally asked my friend who he was texting...and it was her. There they were less than three feet away from each other, in a bar (a social spot), texting each other. I couldn't be live modern conversation had been degraded to text short hand.

With no ability to read emotion or inflection, entire conversations are had, misinterpreted and friendship/relationships broken from a refusal to dial ten numbers. I was amazed at the "conversation" or lack of, that was happening in front of my eyes. It made the last 45 minutes of the night weird to say the least.