Spring Break
Student disapproves of Mail Goggles, offers alternatives to drunken e-mails
Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: Editorial/Opinion
11/6/07 - To the Cigar,
I noticed in last week's article "Mail Goggles" (Volume 55 Issue 28) to which now I dutifully respond. The article begins with the phrase "drunk messaging," which is worthy of a thorough analysis.
The reasoning behind drunken messaging is pretty clear - people like getting drunk and people like sending text messages. Google misses the point here. Obviously people send drunken messages so that they may appreciate them later. Some people gain some sort of notoriety or gratification from sending out a bunch of drunken texts with their cell phone. The fact that those receiving offensive messages get mad should be a bonus. The sender's life is probably much more exciting now that they've offended someone.
We've all heard that person in class say, "I don't even KNOW who I texted last night!!!" Here we can all agree that drama is a great jumpstart to any relationship.
If the "Mail Goggles" are implemented, that person literally has nothing to talk about the next day. That is, of course, instead of sending a text message while drunk they paint a picture of themselves on a trashcan, meet a few strangers and then proceed to dig a large hole on the beach. Then that person probably would have a lot to talk about.
Part of the problem is that once people become drunk, they can't think of a whole lot to do. I tend to tackle inanimate objects and climb things when I am drunk; physical activity is a suitable alternative to texting. Playing instruments, especially drum-like objects, or running across fields, are further great alternatives to sending e-mails. Dancing is a plus. One could always just not bring their phone wherever they were going. Can you imagine what you could do without your cell phone? The possibilities are endless.
Also, people should not be using computers while they are drunk. It's hard to think of more boring objects to interact with than a computer. Though I am certainly guilty of occasionally spending drunk-time browsing through Wikipedia, don't we all use computers and texting enough when we are sober?
You might as well read a book or practice your cursive when you are drunk. In fact, that is a fantastic idea.
Anyway, I think drunken messaging is far too important for some or useless for others for anyone to look seriously at "Mail Goggles." If Google wants to start another electronic college trend, like the inexhaustible Facebook, they are millions of wall-posts and picture tags too late.
Will Johnson
I noticed in last week's article "Mail Goggles" (Volume 55 Issue 28) to which now I dutifully respond. The article begins with the phrase "drunk messaging," which is worthy of a thorough analysis.
The reasoning behind drunken messaging is pretty clear - people like getting drunk and people like sending text messages. Google misses the point here. Obviously people send drunken messages so that they may appreciate them later. Some people gain some sort of notoriety or gratification from sending out a bunch of drunken texts with their cell phone. The fact that those receiving offensive messages get mad should be a bonus. The sender's life is probably much more exciting now that they've offended someone.
We've all heard that person in class say, "I don't even KNOW who I texted last night!!!" Here we can all agree that drama is a great jumpstart to any relationship.
If the "Mail Goggles" are implemented, that person literally has nothing to talk about the next day. That is, of course, instead of sending a text message while drunk they paint a picture of themselves on a trashcan, meet a few strangers and then proceed to dig a large hole on the beach. Then that person probably would have a lot to talk about.
Part of the problem is that once people become drunk, they can't think of a whole lot to do. I tend to tackle inanimate objects and climb things when I am drunk; physical activity is a suitable alternative to texting. Playing instruments, especially drum-like objects, or running across fields, are further great alternatives to sending e-mails. Dancing is a plus. One could always just not bring their phone wherever they were going. Can you imagine what you could do without your cell phone? The possibilities are endless.
Also, people should not be using computers while they are drunk. It's hard to think of more boring objects to interact with than a computer. Though I am certainly guilty of occasionally spending drunk-time browsing through Wikipedia, don't we all use computers and texting enough when we are sober?
You might as well read a book or practice your cursive when you are drunk. In fact, that is a fantastic idea.
Anyway, I think drunken messaging is far too important for some or useless for others for anyone to look seriously at "Mail Goggles." If Google wants to start another electronic college trend, like the inexhaustible Facebook, they are millions of wall-posts and picture tags too late.
Will Johnson
