If the title made you smile you are like me, one of the millions who feel dare I say, an irrational sense of accomplishment and acceptance almost every single day. Two blue check marks that tell you your thoughts were read by someone who could be just seven miles away or seven seas away across the globe. The silent, slender blue check marks are a vindication that you exist.
Last week WhatsApp got me connected to school friends who I have not seen in close to three decades. My best friends for five cherished childhood years who I had gradually drifted away from but never forgotten, now suddenly were only two blue check marks away! Through the teen years and as young adults we had exchanged letters before life really took over. Now it seems so quaint, so 20th century to write a letter to a friend, put it in an envelope, mail it, wonder if it actually reached and rejoice when there was a letter back in response weeks later! No blue check marks then and no instant gratification 😊
Following the footsteps of email, the ability to write a text message and get a reply almost instantaneously on a hand-held device has raised expectations about responsiveness. Some folks are prompt and respond as soon as they read a text message. It is creditable indeed, but very hard to emulate. And then sometimes folks apologize if it takes them a few hours to reply after a message has been read by them. There is no need to be sorry I’d argue, it’s a tough juggling act to prioritize all that needs to be done any given day!
There was an agonizingly exquisite charm in the anticipation, and in the quickening of the heartbeat when the mail-man rang the doorbell. It has been replaced by the quick and transient ping on our smartphones and read receipts. I do cherish the old way of life, but cannot help admire the two slender blue check marks that brought back friends from my delightful childhood in my first hometown.
~AK Irvinekar
Very well written. It catches the emotion very well. Congrats to you for writing at such difficult moments of life especially during the lock down!
Thanks Seema! We’ve traveled the path from letters to blue check marks 🙂
Nice post-AK, refreshing perspective on a mundane thing which we so take for granted.
What a catchy title followed by a great narrative. You have very nicely described how the ways of communication have changed so much over the decades and the nature of emotions.
Just a little bit of observation and insight! Glad you enjoyed the read!
Loved the title – very catchy – had to drop what I was doing to read 🙂 loved the subject – salient points aptly noted
If it made you drop everything else- can’t ask for more!! Thanks Padmini!
I like the app as it helps connect with friends and family waaay easier than any messaging platforms have so far.. but yet dread the video and text forwards that float around! Trying to be selective in responses is also tough ☺️
It’s awesome but within a certain limit 😅