I Love You Too
I never evolved to the homo technologicus stage. When it comes to electronic devices, I use the few functions that I really need and very rarely venture into the reams of further widgets, games and tools hidden within the various menus. It was by chance that some days ago I found myself inside my mobile phone's Message Model folder. You probably know what I am talking about. It contains a series of pre-written SMS that you can send over to people when you are too busy to write a whole message. At the push of a button you can give your recipient some basic pieces of information like "I'm late", "I'm in a meeting now" or "I'll see you later". This was irritating enough. But then, as I scrolled down the list, I found it, at the very bottom. It was a pre-written message saying: "I love you too". I bursted into laughter. Then I stopped. My eyebrows narrowed as I imagined myself spending ten minutes writing a long, heart-breakingly intimate text message to my lover, ending with my deepest sentiments neatly wrapped up in that pithy three word package: "I Love You". Then I imagined her, reading my message in some busy work meeting, distractingly pushing the Message Model button, scrolling the list, deadpan as she selects the "I Love You Too" option before going back to speak about budgets and resources. If I think about it, there is a good reason why I never reached the homo technologicus stage. I still think that loving someone takes a little longer than pushing a button.