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Say It To Me Now

When it comes to communicating with other people, I prefer talking in person or on the phone above all else. There is a rhythm to talking and illumination to the words by the tone of voice used. When you communicate that way, you don't have to use your imagination; you interpret what you heard and saw instead what you read in your own voice.

Frustratingly, it's easy to misconstrue intent, meaning, and/or objective when you don't hear the tone of voice. (I'm well aware that this is a blog entry, but this isn't a one-on-one conversation.) And is it ever difficult to understand intent, meaning, or objective when your primary form of communicating is via e-mail, texting, and/or instant messaging.

It's not new to me about the concept of the Person That's Hard to Get On the Phone. Not everybody likes to regularly catch-up on things, also known as bullshitting (a label that I've never been one to call my conversations, even the most casual). Yet it's hard to dig deep with someone you want to dig deep with when that person doesn't like talking on the phone or is too busy to make time to see you in person. Or there are those where you want to ask a simple, but very time-sensitive question, and the chances are small you'll get a response in a timely fashion.

Blame the growth spurts of technology with the Internet and cell phones as to why we're a society of multi-taskers. Blame the convenience of texting or IMing while you're balancing other tasks at hand. Hell, blame the reputation of the iPhone, something that's great for all kinds of things except talking on the phone.

But I've found the most meaningful kinds of communication are when you're not glued to a cell phone or computer. Those kinds of things lie deep in our memories. You remember the first time you met someone who would later be a major part of your life. You remember stuff like the place, the date, et al when that someone said, "I love you" for the first time. They're experiences beyond black letters on a white background.

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