One of my favorite digital acronyms to this day is “BRB”.. be right back. It’s a symbol of continuity in conversation and an intention to remain connected, even if you have to step away for a few. “LOL” is probably my least favorite since it can be interpreted as sarcasm, indifference, and even humiliation. Seldom does it actually refer to laugh out loud. That’s the thing with communication in the digital world, especially on social media: dialogue can easily get blurred.
Back then….(I talk about it like I’m ancient), only a decade and a half ago, social media was merely an extension of us. Think of it like if it was scrapbook. It’s where we shared photos of ourselves after returning from trips or post status updates of things we accomplished. It wasn’t necessarily content that ran parallel to our daily lives, it was more like an echo with recollections of our experiences. Our main goal was to connect and stay connected through digital communication, something that was previously unheard of.
The Very Missed Texting Era
Among my first memory of digital communication is text messaging. Now you’re starting to see that I’m not in fact ancient. As you remember from my hefty phone contract, internet was prohibited for me at that time so it was all about T9 texting. Texting became my primary form of communication after school… and sometimes even during school hours. Sorry mom. Once I upgraded to a Sidekick LX, that’s where things began to take shape. Texting became obsolete as we prioritized online platforms like AIM (AOL Instant Messenger), MSN Messenger, and later BBM (BlackBerry Messenger). These spaces allowed us to be “online” and visible to our contacts 24/7. We never needed to log out, we were simply expected to “BRB” indefinitely.
Then we got Facebook and Instagram, and most of us haven’t logged out of either since. Each of these came with their instant messenger or DM (direct message) options. Nowadays sending a meme Reel on Instagram or Facebook is basically another way of saying, “Hi, how are you? I’m thinking about you.” Calling someone or even texting is no longer exciting. It’s passive, sometimes targeted, and most of the times tedious.
According to Leadferno, the younger users favor Messenger-like apps due to their strong use of rich media, group chats, and expanded features for video and voice calls. And fun fact, despite how much communication platforms have evolved, Apple only recently adopted RCS (Rich Communications Services) to allow for a better messaging experience with Android users. Previously, there were issues with delivery delays and poor media exchange files. Nevertheless, the battle of whether blue vs. green bubble is better, remains.
Beyond rich media like photos and videos which make for a better communication thread, voice-to-text and voice messages have had their rise in recent years. It’s kind of like a “walkie-talkie but listen at your own time” kind of experience. I’m guilty of sending entire podcasts to my friends disguised as voice notes…but most of the time I stick to traditional text messaging and surprisingly, calls.
Nothing Like a Good Ole Phone Call
Phone calls have always been my preferred form of communication. My mom lives roughly 3,500 miles away in Peru, and I’m still amazed that I can give her a ring anytime, and within seconds she’ll answer (granted she has to have access to internet and data). It’s truly incredible to see how accessibility has come a long way. We can reach anyone, anywhere, in an instant.Yet, somehow we feel more disconnected than ever. What I’ve found to be key is being able to step away from social platforms and choosing a simple phone call. Being free of scrolling and distractions is what brings us back to what matters most: being fully present with the person on the other end of the line.
So, if we think about us as a whole.. have we reached our goal of staying connected through digital communication? I don’t think so. We have countless platforms to stay in touch, but I don’t think we’re doing a great job at actually connecting. I created a video essay, over 10 years ago, DISTANTGram, and it’s sadly still relevant to today’s communication in the digital world. People are getting sick and tired of doom scrolling and being influenced, even by the “slow cozy life” creators. This year, I am predicting a rise in intentional disconnection… more people putting down the phone to reconnect with themselves and with others.
Before I go, here’s my challenge for you ♥︎:
- Dial a phone number, one that you’ve memorized by heart.
- Check in on that person.
- Connect with them.
