Reducing the Intrusiveness of Phone Calls

There is something about consuming media on my own terms that is extremely attractive. As a baby boomer, I am very much a phone person. It takes so much less time for me to say something than to type it out --not to mention the fact that it seems to be a better way to build relationships, however, there is so much about the intrusiveness of the phone that I simply don't like. I feel the same way about all the junk mail that is constantly stuffed into my mail box. It bothers me that I have to walk down to the mailbox to pick up trash. On the other hand, there is so much about chat, e-mails, social media and texting that I do like -- I can consume them on my terms.

Today I am debating whether I will do even more phone calls for health care reform. There is a part of me that hates this calling, while the other side feels a bit guilty if I don't do it. So why do I hate it? Well it's not because the people on the other end of the lines are unreceptive. When they find out who I am and why I am calling, they are usually very receptive and great to talk to. As such, the question becomes, why do I dislike making these calls?

I think the crux of it is the intrusiveness of phone calls. I know there are a bunch of people out there who love it when the phone rings, but for many, it can be an intrusion. Of course, one can always choose not to answer, but there is that part of us that doesn't want to "miss" something or doesn't want to ignore a friend -- after all, it may be something important. Don't recognize a number.... well what if it's something of interest? Ultimately caller ID is not enough. We should have a subject notification that shows up also, where people type in or announce what they are calling for. Then all of a sudden screening becomes effective. We do this with messages & answering machines all the time. Why not make it real time?

Okay all you high tech gurus out there, we need a combo phone/texting/announcement mechanism. The phone rings. I don't recognize the caller so I press the button that requests that they text in or announce the subject. Then if I want to talk about that subject I pick up! Otherwise I can text back, no interest or call me later. Oh, and another thing. I need this by tonight.