The joys of instant messaging
Let's dwell on the joys of instant messaging for a minute - a contact list that covers pretty much all the important people in your real and virtual lives; some with whom share deep dark secrets, others who you just happened to cross paths with (in real life or vitually). Its ability to block anyone with a click of a button so you can hide away at will, and show yourself when you are prepared to be bothered. An alternative to this are status messages, where you may remain virtually 'away' or 'busy' at all times, and are available only for those you wish to talk to.
Of course, there is the marveling convenience where several simultaneous conversations take place varying in moods, from a heartbreaking personal story to casual jokes. Nothing like expressing grief over one's recent break-up, followed by 'LMAO' or 'LOL' at a quip a few seconds later in a separate window.
Unlike the phone, no uncomfortable silences are encountered even if a reply takes ten minutes, the conversation carries on where it's left off as soon as the messenger window pops up with the reply - a blessing for some of us who are inept at carrying on conversations, especially when it is completely and utterly pointless.
Then lastly, the undeniably indispensable feature, the ability to categorize people, divide them on the basis of the nature of their relationship to you - friends, acquaintances, people, individuals.. in a descending order from the most meaningful to least. Sure, one may take a moment to stop and wonder exactly why some of those are even on your list in the first place, but meh, it's just easier this way.
Once organized, you may minimize the 'people' and 'individuals', for their presence doesn't exactly matter. You can even move or rotate people as you experience periodic epiphanies, for example, he seemed interesting- let's keep him up for now; she's lost her charm- let's drop her down, etc. Out of sight, out of mind; till one of them messages you, at which point you would take a couple of minutes to recall who they are.
Of course, there is the marveling convenience where several simultaneous conversations take place varying in moods, from a heartbreaking personal story to casual jokes. Nothing like expressing grief over one's recent break-up, followed by 'LMAO' or 'LOL' at a quip a few seconds later in a separate window.
Unlike the phone, no uncomfortable silences are encountered even if a reply takes ten minutes, the conversation carries on where it's left off as soon as the messenger window pops up with the reply - a blessing for some of us who are inept at carrying on conversations, especially when it is completely and utterly pointless.
Then lastly, the undeniably indispensable feature, the ability to categorize people, divide them on the basis of the nature of their relationship to you - friends, acquaintances, people, individuals.. in a descending order from the most meaningful to least. Sure, one may take a moment to stop and wonder exactly why some of those are even on your list in the first place, but meh, it's just easier this way.
Once organized, you may minimize the 'people' and 'individuals', for their presence doesn't exactly matter. You can even move or rotate people as you experience periodic epiphanies, for example, he seemed interesting- let's keep him up for now; she's lost her charm- let's drop her down, etc. Out of sight, out of mind; till one of them messages you, at which point you would take a couple of minutes to recall who they are.
It works like a charm when you wish to forget someone.
posted by fox | 12:00 AM
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