As a geek, there are certain things that you just inevitably get hooked on. I don’t know what it is, but more than any other subculture, geekery clings to the signature things with which it is associated with the fervor of a giant dog and their favorite chewtoy. MMOs, computer tech, dressing up as one of Sailor Moon’s friends and posing heroically in public – at least one of these is a hallmark of your typical geek.
Now I’ve been pretty fortunate to avoid some of the level of love geeks show their favorite things. I’d like to say that in most cases I’m pretty good at avoiding getting too attached to something. Sadly, though, I find that I’ve become terribly invested in something that probably shouldn’t take up too much of my time, and that’s text messaging.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not one of those people who text messages at inappropriate intervals, such as driving while also drinking coffee and looking over my powerpoint, or during a funeral when the coffin needs to be carried and I’m a pall bearer. I’m not THAT bad. But I do have to admit I reflexively reach for my smartphone when I feel the familiar buzzing that means that a text message has come in. My other, text-addicted geek friends like to send me messages from restaurants, planes before takeoff, bathrooms, and many other remotely entertaining yet odd places. This is probably part of the problem – text messaging requires at least two to tango, meaning that text addicts feed off of each other, driving up message counters and selling unlimited data plans with aggressive impunity.
But far be it from me to blame others for my being hooked. Last month I sent 1910 individual messages, and I have a feeling that doesn’t count multimedia messaging or messages that got sent outside of my home cellphone provider. I’m probably on pace to send even more this month, and the fact that I’ve increased networking with people who use texting as much as I do doesn’t help. Sadly, as much as I’d like to deny it to my friends and loved ones, I’m probably going to be building muscles in my thumbs I never had.
There are probably bad things about this whole outcome, but I’d like to think that my connection to my texts is a good thing. For those that need to get hold of me no matter where I am, it’s an easy and convenient way to ask me something or send me a nice little note. It’s a low-key way for me to send questions and queries to people who I know can answer questions when I need them the most – whether they be things regarding trademark law, ice cream flavors, and the most disturbing cosplayers ever – only a few topics that I’ve texted about in the last few days. And as long as it doesn’t get too out of control, it’s more polite than taking a phone call, and subjecting people to my Sarah McLaughlin techno remix ringtone (don’t ask). Really, I find that texting is an extension of my geekery, and I suppose that means if I have to take a little ribbing and harassment, that it’s worth it to be more in touch with my techie side.
Besides, how else am I going to be able to tweet to all of you about the biggest, juiciest, and most succulent steak in the world when I’m eating it? You’d want to know about that, right? Right?