I know many people in the workplace find email to be a help and an annoyance. It has allowed many people to rely on written messages as opposed to picking up the phone and talking to people the old-fashioned way. It has also made it more challenging, in some cases, for salespeople. Personally, I have found it easier for people to discard a question, or say “No” on an email than over the phone. Outside the work place, I find more and more people relying on another form of email: the text message. The text message is a phenomenon that has finally reached the United States. For anyone not familiar with text messaging, it is a function on your mobile phone, similar to email, as it is a written message. It allows us to send quick, succinct messages to friends, family and colleagues. I do love texting in certain cases. For instance, when I’m running late, the ability to send a text and say “I’m running five minutes late” is often easier and more efficient than making a call. Or, if I’m in a meeting and have to get an urgent message out, a text is a great resource. However, I see more and more friends relying on text messaging for communication, and this disturbs me. I see relationships started and ended over texts. I think it just loses so much meaning and leaves way too much time for people to start interpreting a message and analyzing what it means when nine times out of ten, the message was harmless and didn’t mean a thing! I guess all I’m trying to say is next time you have something important to say and you lean towards sending a text, pick up the phone. It will make all parties involved much happier! -Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher