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Text messaging is destroying America.

That's right. Texting is right up there with Al Gore, reality television and bears.

Text messaging, or texting (an example of how we've managed to turn another noun into a verb) is when one uses their mobile device to send a short written message to someone else's mobile device.

Textiquette (another completely made-up word) are the rules to be observed in social texting interactions.

There are two issues at hand. One is the texting pandemic sweeping our culture destroying traditional interpersonal communication and the eminent fall of our society because of it. The other are the rules of textiquette the general regulations to be followed designed to keep texting from turning into some sort of structureless, new-age, feel-goodery medium of expression.

Why Text

Texting has replaced phone calls in a number of ways, most of which are unacceptable. People send them out in droves and all too frequently. Maybe there's some new "Save Your Ears Text" campaign I don't know about.

Texting is not an acceptable way to set up dates, break up with people, deliver bad news or find out how someone's day was. Those kinds of things should be done over the talky part of your phone. And this is why texting is destroying America. It has turned relationships more uncommitted than ever.

There's something about hearing someone's voice, the simple intimacy and the immediate interaction that connects people. Calling instead of texting shows you don't want to be doing anything else at that moment, you're willing to possibly say something you might regret since you can't proofread what you're about to say, and you want vocal inflection to be a part of your relationship. And we all know it's a big step in a relationship when vocal inflection gets involved.

A relationship, romantic or otherwise, based primarily on text messages is sad.

Who to Text

It's becoming more acceptable to text whoever you'd like: coworkers, bosses, religious leaders, professors, etc.

However, do not text people who do not have cell phones. Landlines have a hard time displaying those little messages.

Do not text people whose cell phones do not or can not receive texts. Some plans charge extra for text messages, and some people tell their providers to not allow their phones to send or receive texts.

Do not text people who have told you not to text them. I know that may be hard for you to believe, but there are actually people out there who would rather hear the sound of your voice than see how

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