# Twenty years from now, will we be sending text messages? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 8, 2017, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595 "2017-01-08T00:27:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Lee\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/aeb1de/32.png) [@Lee\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lee_Q)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/41 "2017-01-09T00:35:53Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Moore’s law. No one will be typing messages in 20 years. Typing _messages_? Maybe, maybe not. I wasn’t talking about only messages. I think you originally said in 20 years “typing” would be over. I didn’t think you meant ONLY for text messages. Even so, I can absolutely imagine some people still sending text messages 20 (or more) years from now - if the technology is still available, which is of course the big “if” and maybe that aspect is the crux of what you’re “guaranteeing.” If your contention is that speech recog. (or similar) will completely obliterate the entire industry, not just phones but any other way people send “text messages” (including online IM’ing), I guess you could be right. I mean, some kinds of cell phones that used to exist are not available at all for purchase now. So I suppose it’s conceivable that at some point it won’t be \*possible \*to text message (or text-chat) anywhere even if someone wanted to. As others have observed, though they’re fewer in number than before, there are still plenty of people who still text-chat online and, maybe more to the point for what you’re suggesting, who prefer the tactile experience of typing. As long as there is the capability, I suspect this type of person would always opt to type regardless of what newer technology may emerge, 20 years from now or whenever else. There may well come a time when typing is just not an available option in any medium or platform. Personally, I do not believe that’ll happen within 20 years. The majority of users choosing to use some other then-available method rather than typing by then? Could be. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/42 "2017-01-09T00:49:44Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Me. I find writing a text to be a pain in the ass. I prefer to call, it’s easier, quicker and you can ask for as much clarifications as needed immediately. > > Why people are so enthralled with texts, and even why they find them more convenient than calling totally eludes me. Did you read the rest of the thread? It’s been explained exhaustively. ---
**Author:** ![Polly\_Pointless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/858c86/32.png) [@Polly\_Pointless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polly_Pointless)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/43 "2017-01-09T03:18:43Z")
> [@red\_fish](#): > > Why people are so enthralled with texts, and even why they find them more convenient than calling totally eludes me. I answer the phone for a living. I talk to dozens of people every day at work. On my own free time? There are literally only three people I will pick up the phone for. If you want to communicate with me, send a text. I will not. WILL. NOT. Be answering or returning your call. Fuck that, unless you are one of those three people. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/44 "2017-01-09T03:29:43Z")
I have been known to surreptitiously send a text during a meeting to get a piece of information quickly without disrupting the meeting. There is nothing speech-driven that can replace that. I think the ability to send a short text message will remain a valid need. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/45 "2017-01-09T03:41:02Z")
In twenty years Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia will have total control of all our communications. What we use to do that will not be very interesting compared with the bombs. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/46 "2017-01-09T04:00:05Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Me. I find writing a text to be a pain in the ass. I prefer to call, it’s easier, quicker and you can ask for as much clarifications as needed immediately. > > Why people are so enthralled with texts, and even why they find them more convenient than calling totally eludes me. Similarly, how people can’t grok the utility of texts is beyond my ken. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/47 "2017-01-09T04:18:13Z")
Texting has been around for a very, very, very long time. It’s just gotten faster a few times, with inventions like the telegraph and cell phones. It will still be around in some form, but it will seem primitive to some degree compared to what we do now. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/48 "2017-01-09T05:59:00Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > I don’t even understand why people are sending them now. When I was growing up, we had a phone. Nobody sent telegrams, when there was a phone ready at hand. Yeah, right next to the butter churn and the buggy whip. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/49 "2017-01-09T06:25:29Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > What about when something needs a few rounds (or several rounds) of back-and-forth to arrange? > > For example: > You want to meet somebody for coffee. > > There are always two basic aspects: when, and where. But many times those have to get broken down into smaller chunks. > > Round 1– > Person 1: Does Tuesday work for you? > Person 2: No, but I can do Wednesday morning or Thursday afternoon. > > Round 2– > Person 1: Thursday afternoon would be best. What part of town will you be in? > Person 2: I’m on the north side. Is that convenient for you? > > Round 3– > Person 1: I’m going to be southeast of there. Can we meet roughly in the middle? > Person 2: Ok. Do you know the Starbucks near the downtown park? > > Round 4– > Person 1: I do know where that is, but I prefer to patronize locally-owned places. Are you familiar with Pop’s Coffee Shop? It’s 3 blocks west of Gently Used Books. > Person 2: I’m not, but I’m sure I can find it ok. What time shall we meet? Is 1:30 ok? > > Round 5– > Person 1: I have a late lunch appointment that day. Would 2:30 work? > Person 2: Yes, that’s fine. > > Round 6– > Person 1: Ok. I’ll plan to see you then. > Person 2: Ok. > > * * * > > Now, why in the name of common sense would you want to go to the hassle of typing all that out, even in abbreviated form, when you can call the person instead, and probably get the whole thing done in less than 60 seconds? Coffee tomorrow lunchtime at Starbucks? Nope, busy tomorrow, can do wed though. Ok see you there. It’s not that hard. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/50 "2017-01-09T15:42:14Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Nope, there’s roughly, ooooh, _a million_ situations where messaging someone needs to be non-vocalised. Absolutely agreed. I mean, unless we come up with some mind-reading technology, communicating by entering text into our phones or whatever mobile devices we’re using then is going to be necessary. Texting will be alive and well in 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/51 "2017-01-09T16:08:21Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > In 20 years, I’ll be sending text messages via brain waves using the chip implanted in my head. And the chip implanted in my head will give me the option of translating it to text (input to the optic nerve), or speech (input to the aural nerve). ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/52 "2017-01-09T16:58:48Z")
I don’t want a chip in my head until they at least figure out how to make the phone in my hand a \*lot \*more reliable. The last thing I need is a lockscreen security bug or a system hang error on a piece of hardware connected directly to my wetware. ---
**Author:** ![WildBlueYonder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce7236/32.png) [@WildBlueYonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildBlueYonder)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/53 "2017-01-09T18:14:35Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > In 20 years, I’ll be sending text messages via brain waves using the chip implanted in my head. There you go… > [@clairobscur](#): > > Me. I find writing a text to be a pain in the ass. I prefer to call, it’s easier, quicker and you can ask for as much clarifications as needed immediately. > > Why people are so enthralled with texts, and even why they find them more convenient than calling totally eludes me. Texting is a pain in the ass but if they dont want to answer the phone…the text goes thru for sure unless they have your number blocked > [@clairobscur](#): > > Why would you assume that? Regular landline phones have been around for more than a century, same with cars, televisions for maybe 60 years, etc… > > A new technology replacing cell phones might emerge soon but cell phones might as well be in widespread use in 2150. I certainly expect them to be still around in 20 years, at least. What could potentially replace them in the short term? Brain implants? Maybe I should have used the word “dinosaurs” Land lines are there a lot for old people who dont like change…but they are dinosaurs too. Neither are reliable too. Neither perfect at all Because of the imperfections of the cell phone I am not that happy with them. I dont have a land line anymore. Some calls need to be on land lines ---
**Author:** ![WildBlueYonder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce7236/32.png) [@WildBlueYonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildBlueYonder)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/54 "2017-01-10T15:59:49Z")
Is it the millennials or the ones called “the do nothing generation” that text all the time? Will there come a time when they get married and text their vows? Everyone watching will text there emoticons, etc? What about tears? Yes there are indeed tear type emoticons and just about if not all emotions emoticons needed in life! ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595/55 "2017-01-10T16:20:45Z")
We also use image macros to communicate complex thoughts in the form of dank memes. [Of course, even folks from older generations, like Donald Trump Jr., have been known to communicate via memes as well.](http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/09/28/495760153/i-guess-we-need-to-talk-about-pepe-the-frog) On a tangent, NPR writing an article about memes has got to be a sign that I’m finally getting old enough to be NPR’s target demographic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-from-now-will-we-be-sending-text-messages/776595.md?page=2)