The other morning I received a text message from a very good physician friend of mine—one who I hadn’t talked to in several months.
Within 10 minutes, we exchanged seven text messages, covering topics such as a hip issue I am having, his Covid vaccination status, a photo, and my blog.
Heck, I even shared a photo and a web link, and I think I could have given any teenager a run for their money with my text-messaging ability.
We covered a lot, at least superficially, but one thing we weren’t doing?
We wern’t connecting.
So, I did the unthinkable. I called him, and we talked on the phone for about ten minutes! Keeping in mind we had worked side-by-side for over 15 years, in that 10 minute period we had a chance to talk about his impending retirement, my frustration with how my hip is affecting my overall health, the near-term financial pressures of healthcare (and how they can extend to increasing patient risks), and even how our spouses were faring during Covid.
In other words, we connected.
Look, text messaging, emails, Twitter direct messaging, and the myriad of other digital technology connectors all have their uses, but we shouldn’t confuse these tools—these tricks—with a true human connection.
There are few things more powerful for communicating than simple talk—whether it’s face-to-face or over the phone.
Perhaps it’s because of the density of information packed within a voice, or perhaps a familiar voice triggers some neurological endorphin release. Who knows? I don’t think the mechanism matters.
But one thing is certain: In “Times of Covid” when human connection is under assault, picking up the phone and calling an old friend can be a joy.