Progress in Communication

Smoke signals, beating drums, petroglyphs, pictograms, speech, pigeons, flags: all forms of communication.  Which is the oldest .......... I'll answer in a minute.  


In 1815 Andrew Jackson fought the British at the Battle of New Orleans, his victory made him an American Hero and later the 7th President of the United States.  Interestingly, the battle was fought after the Peace Treaty was signed. You can't send smoke signals or drum beats across an ocean. Hmmm need for speed.  


Along comes Pony Express (dodging arrows), telegraph (the whole town knew the message), Love Letters in a book (whole world knew the story and intimate details). Revised needs: speed and privacy  


When I was a little kid we lived way back in the country.  I mean way back.  At first, we didn't have a phone.  Then we got a party line LOL. That meant more than one home shared the same phone line.  Different numbers and different ring sounds, but your neighbors half a mile down the road could listen in on your phone conversations.... and they did. When the phone rang it was a big deal. Finally we got a dedicated line.... a little privacy when I talked to the red headed girl in eighth grade that I had a crush on....can't remember her name.


So how do we solve the need for speed and privacy........Beepers....nope....Ah Cell Phones could they be the final solution as good as telepathy.  


Now people check the number to see who is calling.  Your call gets screened.  You have to leave a message and wait hours for them to call back if they ever do.  There went speed.  I got prioritized.  Next is text probably best described as electronic smoke signals.  Has created a new vocabulary OMG!!  Driven by 2 thumb typing.


Tweets:  has to be less than 140 characters Ex: Y wont U rtrn my call. 


Facebook:  you post your messages and everyone can see them......sounds like a party line.  How the world turns in circles.  I need SPEED and PRIVACY


After touch the oldest method of communication is speech; with all it's nuances and undertones the next best thing to being face to face.  


So don't hide behind emails or undecipherable texts, please don't screen my calls.  Let me hear your VOICE!!


I just bet that when Geronimo sent Cochise a smoke signal letting him know the cavalry was coming that Cochise sent a smoke signal back.


Call me back...........it's the right thing to do


Till we meet again