Favre and the reality of texting after 30

The notable detail of the Brett Favre saga that seems overlooked is that he seems to be doing most of his communicating these days via text messaging. While I can believe that he is considering coming back, I refuse to believe that he considers text messaging a legitimate way of communicating. Nobody over the age of 30 does.

The most pronounced difference between people my age and the generation just behind us is how important we consider the text message. People that are 30 or over that use text messaging to communicate do so as convenience and also a concession to the younger people that see sending a text message and actually calling as equal within the hierarchy of communication.

In a recent survey, people under the age of 26 were asked what the worst news they had received in the last year and how they got that news. Forty-three percent answered they received the initial news via text message with a phone call or in person follow-up within 15 minutes. Fourteen percent answered they had received the news via text message with no additional follow up.

I can't conceive of it. I put text messages right up there with voicemail or email from Yahoo! or Hotmail accounts in terms of importance. I reason that if it isn't important enough to make sure that I get the message by saying it directly to me (or by switching to the superior gmail), then it isn't important enough for me to seek out the message.

I text. I have an unlimited account. I have a certain expectation that the people I send text messages to will receive them as well. I text in full words - no abbreviations, no acronyms, and no initialisms. I capitalize after punctuation, I eschew smiley faces, and I generally try to pretend as though I am always texting to Will Strunk. I'm not always perfect (I often make myself cringe), but I try. I figure if I haven't mastered the King's English - I shouldn't endeavor to use the pidgin that is text-speak.

Texting is convenient, but that isn't the main reason I utilize it. I use it as a layer between myself and the word "No." Like most people, I need others to get on board if I want to get things done. I need their help and I hate putting people in a position to be able to block my path. It is quite a mental roadblock and I don't think I am too different from other people in my distaste for rejection.

Texting as a way to put a buffer between yourself and rejection is typically a bad idea. It acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy. Most people don't like to say "No". They'll avoid saying it if they can- often opting to say nothing. A text request makes it easier for them to say "No".

Brett Favre is 38. There is no way he should utilize text messaging to broker his future beyond what time he needs to pick up one of his daughters for a ride home from practice. He surely isn't texting the 55 year-old Ted Thompson about possibly coming back and expecting a serious response. I have a hard time thinking Packers GM Ted Thompson even uses text messaging.

Let us not get all excited about Brett Favre coming back or the Packers not wanting him to based on the reports of text messages that may or may not have been sent or answered. Brett Favre is scheduled to make 12 million dollars next season if he plays. When that much money is at stake, people pick up the phone and call or they get on an airplane and show up. That is how adult business is done.

Nick Mortensen also writes over at his personal website.