For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

Yung Red612 — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 02:38:07 GMT

I thought this was a health newsletter, and you talking bout bad grammer, come on , PROIRITIES!!!

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

Jen47 — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:35:03 GMT

"Dumbing down" isn't only through texting. One teen could not make change for my husband AT A BRAND NAME PHARMACY, from $9.62 to a $10. bill without saying, "wait a minute, I'm no good a this AND whipping out the cell to get to the calculator". DUH? Didn't we learn to do that in, like, 7th or 8th grade back in the olden days and don't the cash registers tell you what to give back if you put in the right info?

YIKES!!

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

carrieon — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:43:05 GMT

Why should anyone be surprised that texting has quickly become more popular than talking on the cell phone lately. Who has the time to listen to those stupid 30 second pre-recorded option menus before leaving a voice message? Amazingly, every single cell phone company does it too.

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

Jeff Stucker — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 05:07:50 GMT

This is just plain silly.

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

CEM — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 00:44:04 GMT

I am very disappointed that Dr. Mercola is speaking out against the dangers of cell phones, but has said nothing about the dangers of wifi, and even admits to using it himself.

Come on, Dr. Mercola. I'm electrosensitive, and you're losing a fan...

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

student03 — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 23:58:25 GMT

Dr. Clark,

I agree with you that teens don't really need cell phones that badly. I don't agree that this problem is as bad in the United States as it is in other countries. I have heard that over in Europe, there are teens that have two cell phones. Who needs two cell phones? What really disturbs me is that my sister bought a cell phone for her daughter, who just turned 8! My sister justifies it because she says they don't have a house phone, so they need to have a phone at the house so the kids can call her when they need to. My cell phone is my house phone, so I can understand that. My niece already knows how to send text messages and she is only 8 years old. I was completely shocked when I found out that she had a cell phone. I really hope it doesn't have long-lasting health affects on her. She's way too young.

I got my cell phone when I was 19 and I paid for it myself. My parents didn't have anything to do with it. I had to pay something like a $200 deposit just to get it because I had no credit to my name. I felt that I was old enough to make that decision for myself and besides, I was paying for it. I think there is a big difference between getting your child a cell and buying one yourself. I also don't run out and have to get a new phone the second my plan is able to be renewed. I have had the same cell phone for something like 3 years and it is still in perfect condition. I had to buy a new battery for it, but I got it for 99 cents off ebay. I don't abuse my phone, I take extremely good care of it. I wish they would quit making all those commercials trying to convince people to upgrade their phone. The one time that I got a new phone, my plan was updated and somehow, I ended up paying 20 additional dollars a month on my cell bill. If I update it now, it will actually change my plan and I will have a lot less minutes and be paying more. The cell phone companies are making some serious money off teens and young adults.

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

student03 — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 23:38:07 GMT

I am 23 years old and I fall within that age group of texting while driving and sending some 800 messages a month. I don't send near that many a month, probably only 250 and that's because it's included in my phone package. I do have to admit that I have sent text messages while driving before. Now, I won't send one unless I am stopped at a stop light or something. I realize the dangers of texting while driving, maybe now that I am getting a little older. A few years ago, I would text while driving on the Interstate going some 70 mph. I didn't realize at the time how dangerous that really was.

As far as the grammar and punctuation, I don't use the slang text language that teens do. Even some of my friends from high school will text me and use the shortcuts. It drives me nuts, I can't stand it. I used to text in all lowercase letters, no punctuation, but I would still spell out my words. My boyfriend got sick of it and asked me to be more proper, so I have been ever since. He uses quick text program stuff on his phone where it is supposed to guess what word you are trying to type. So he sends me a text that will use a word that doesn't make sense in the context of the text. I would have to look at my keypad and try to figure out what word he meant to send. I tolerated it for months and finally I just snapped and asked him how hard it was to reread the message he was trying to send me before he hit "send"! Of course I also yelled at him for being sloppy with text messages when he threw such a fit about me not being proper. I hate double standards.

I do feel that the youth growing up with text lingo will be dumber and lack proper English speaking and writing skills. It bugs me and I am supposed to be in that category of people who text like retards. How hard is it to write out whole words? If they have the full keyboard it shouldn't be that hard. It's pure laziness. Personally, it takes me a lot longer to read a text full of slang than it does a well-written text.

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

Angela Flynn — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:49:23 GMT

I was quite surprised to read that Dr. Mercola uses wireless internet. This is potentially just as harmful as cell phones. I had a wireless router in my bedroom for two years and developed muscle aches and could not concentrate to read a book. Thankfully I moved and no longer had the router and my symptoms went away.

Here is a recent article on Wi-Fi -

freepage.twoday.net/.../5250937

Penang to continue study on health effects of WiFi

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

Magnolia — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:39:27 GMT

Texting is an unobtrusive way to convey relatively brief bits of information. Doing it while driving is foolish and dangerous. Doing it in class is inconsiderate, when you should be paying attention to the instructor. It is acceptible in some meetings, when necessary, if requesting information pertinant to the meeting. If good manners and good judgement are used, texting has a place in the existing society. I use it frequently to ask a brief question or give a quick response. It isn't really suited for true conversation.

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

nancyhrussell — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:23:21 GMT

COULD SOMEONE TELL ME IF HOLDING A LAPTOP COMPUTER ON YOUR LAP IS DANGEROUS WITH RELATION TO BEING EXPOSED TO HARMFUL RADIATION?

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

wishuponamural on ebay — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:05:59 GMT

Isn't this also a form of shorthand? hahaha

I'm a grown adult and even though I don't text I would have no problem with my child texting, and Id like to learn the lingo too so I can keep up with the younger generation.

Instead of assuming this will make them dumber, I think this opens new avenues of possibilities and excitement, and creates imagination.

What will be next?

A new form of comunicating throatal sounds like neanderthals?

ugh ugh yug

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

RacerX — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:03:14 GMT

rofl. u guyz R wa2fny.

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

Dr.Clark — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:13:51 GMT

Lindy, your comparison isn't really valid. The difference comes about when teens don't know the difference between the proper English grammar, mechanics, and punctuation they should use in formal documents and the slang they use on the street. Speed writing wasn't something that people were rushing out to buy to impress their friends. Thirty-years ago, you wouldn't have seen people whipping out any devices in class or while driving their cars, unless you were a physician or lawyer, since the first cells and pagers were very expensive. As soon as less expensive versions appeared, somebody got the idea that cell phones represent prestige, and hence, a viral problem. I wish parents would understand that teens do not need cellphones, no matter what the tikes argue--just because you have money to spend on it isn't a good reason to allow kids to take up bad habits. Insurance statistics show that teen drivers from aged 16-21 are much more likely to be in accidents anyway, even without cellphone use; with cellphones, the demographic skyrockets. So--it's a health risk that way. Another health risk comes with cellphone use itself: why do Americans HAVE TO have them? As an English professor, I can tell you that this claim re: a degrading culture is not a myth: I have many students who continue to try to text when they're supposed to be using standard English--they simply don't know why they need to use standard English, and that's a sad indication of an educational slippery slope of preferring speech over written language. Written language is a benchmark for an educated society and has always proven to be the chosen weapon of power, reinforcing a culture's ability to effectively argue and reason. Professors now have to add clauses in their syllabi concerning cell use in class, because it's an annoying distraction and used to cheat on tests. Stop enabling your children to be lazy and stupid!

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

Tilapia2006 — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 13:43:31 GMT

I thoroughly hate text messaging. I tried it a few times and I utterly hate it. In the time it takes me to type a text message (I despise "text speak" so my words are fully typed out), I could have made a quick phone call and accomplished my goal twice, without having to use a tiny, inefficient keyboard.

And I am convinced that text messaging is largely responsible for the "dumbing down" effect seen in teens' language ability. Their complete and total disregard for spelling and grammar is appalling. Kids are now actually spelling words like probably, as "prolly" and tough, as "tuff," etcetera, etcetera. And this this is reflected in their speaking as well. I can promise you, that any teen or young adult coming into my office for an interview using words like "prolly" will be given the old "Thanks for coming by, we'll call you" line.

On a side note, I don't like IM either. I perturbs me to no end when I'm trying to respond to an IM and the other person doesn't wait long enough, interrupting with a question like, 'Are you still there?," thus causing me to have to start over because I have to reply, "Yes, I'm still here. Be patient please." I like to put thought into what I'm writing, and IM and text messaging just doesn't allow for that courtesy.

re: For the First Time in History, More People Text Than Phone

squeegee — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:28:46 GMT

"Texting may destroy the next generation's ability to communicate effectively due to poor spelling and 'text-speak.' "

Didn't they say that about telegrams?

Oh noes, cell phones is preventing me from learning English!!