Text Message or Phone Call, which is Better?

Like the seasons all things must change.  In my opinion it started with the ATM at the bank.  At first people scoffed at doing business with an automated teller.  The ATM was a robotic method of banking that was easy to distrust.  As the generations changed the sentiment towards automation became indifferent.  Convenience won over human contact.

The same evolution is happening with the way we communicate. Today most everyone subscribes to cellular phone service and of that group you will find very few who don’t utilize text messaging. In fact according to an article at MSNBC the number of text messages surpassed cell phone calls in 2008. 

With all that being said there is still a time and place for the phone call. Below are several great arguments for using text messaging and rebuttals for the phone call.

Texting allows time to process thoughts and to be witty.
A 30 second phone call can equal 10 text messages.

Texting eliminates awkward moments between the parties
A phone call allows for you to sing, laugh and cry together.

With texting, the receiver decides when to answer
A phone call provides an immediate answer.

With texting there are no worries about getting voicemail and waiting 2 days for returned call.
You can be ignored or forgotten with text messaging as well.

You can text while doing other things.
Not so fast…do you do those “other things” well?

Text messaging cannot be used for communications with your doctor’s office.
A phone call is HIPAA compliant.

Which method of communication do you prefer and why?