Reading the recent reports on SMS usage among young people made me wonder how this technology affects the way we communicate. I admit I read the reports with feelings of sadness. It seems we are losing the art of face-to-face communication. Even a simple interview in person cannot be conducted without pausing to pander to the electronic message. Why do we put our SMSes before our fellow human beings who are worth infinitely more? It almost implies that the common courtesy of giving your full attention to the person you are talking to is dying a sure death.

Only in our generation are we gifted with the ability to communicate with friends separated by large distances for a mere 1 sen. No doubt advances such as these are things previous generations could not even begin to dream about. However, a nagging feeling tells me that this so-called gift may also wind up being a curse to us. If this trend keeps up who knows if we will birth future generations who live in their own little bubble of anti-social behavior interspersed only by frequent beeps as an SMS comes in. What will happen to shared laughter, tears, emotions and feelings that speak volumes when experienced in person. Will they be reduced to a series of emoticons? We send thousands of SMSes a month yet not ever speak a word to our neighbours. What sort of society are we deteriorating to?

To live in a country described as Malaysia - Truly Asia, let us not forsake our reputation of being a charismatic and friendly people. People willing to lend an ear or extend a hand in fellowship. Let us not reduce ourselves to cheap SMSes that can in no way match the warmth of a smile, the twinkle of an eye or the joy in real laughter that prevails everyday in a face-to-face conversation.