How Things Change

I was listening to Steely Dan on my iPod today, and heard a familiar line in a new way:

“Rikki don’t lose that number, you don’t want to call nobody else. Send it off in a letter to yourself.”

In 1974, sending a letter to yourself seemed a very odd and obscure thing to do. But how many of us today send ourselves voicemails or emails? We all do!

I’ve even noticed different styles people use when leaving themselves messages. I’ll admit to a quick, curt, no-frills monotone on reminder voicemails I leave to myself (“Call Larry, get dog food”), while other people (like my wife!) are much more polite to themselves, saying “hi” and “bye” and using warm vocal inflections.

Which style are you?

Steve Yastrow posted this on August 31, 2004, in Technology.
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