One of the many (and we do mean many) places on the ‘net where you can find the answers to those questions you wanted answered but didn’t know where to look let alone ask, is from the website Quora.com.
Here, folks can ask questions that range from the practical (“How can I get people from parking in front of my house?”), to the interesting-yet-amusing category. (“What is the most embarrassing favor you had to ask?”) Anyone can ask a question, and anyone can answer. We can’t vouch if any of the answers given are true and accurate, but it still constitutes for amusing reading!
One of those many questions that were thrown to the Quora universe was posted by this person who stated “What used to be unacceptable 20 years ago but is now ok”?
The most obvious answers came through the likes on what can be stated and/or depicted through media that at one time may have been offensive, objectionable, and otherwise against moral standards but have gained momentum as a so-called “new normal”, such as the case of the acceptance of same sex marriages or the mainstream use of pot. But there was one answer that we found quite interesting. It was the elements of using initials in writing as well as speech as shorthand for terms, words and phrases that were not part of a name of a company (CBS. IBM, etc.) or a medical terms that was too difficult to pronounce. (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as ALS or “Lou Gehrig’s disease”.)
The person stated that “text speak” was once limited to through writings on internet “chat rooms” that were popular with younger folks–the same folks that were the first generation weened on home computers and the things that go along with them, are now acceptable as written communication.
When chat rooms first made their make in more of a wider scope, the uses didn’t want to type in full phrases. So shorthand was created to state a comment that could be expressed in just a few letters, such as JAC (“just a second”), IDN (“I don’t know”), or G2G. (“Got to go”). A few of these terms fell upon the wayside, but a number of them remain where their letters created a new word to have their place in an English language dictionary, such as FYI (“for your information”), TMI (“Too much information”), and the most famous one of them all, LOL. (“Laughing out loud”).
In the media, journalists that knew better would never sport out initials to express an idea through commercial media. Now, thanks to the ‘net where just about all commercial media is found and takes advantage of, uses chat room initials as part of their writings. And since chat rooms were first around as far back as the 1980s, those that were the first generation of users are now in their 40s, a time in one’s life that is now deemed as “middle aged”.
When cell phones first introduced the notion of sending message via text around the early-middle 2000s, those uses were able to send a message to somebody (rather than through email) that can be received through the receiver’s phone immediately. Of course, those of as youthful age were the ones that embraced this notion of sending a written note to a friend about something or another, using those same chat room terms to get their point across. If the texter wanted a reply, a TMB (“text me back”) would work out fine.
Smartphones were the electronic device that changed everything when it came to personal communication. And texting because rather popular from that point. Not so much with kids, but through right minded adults! At one time, if one wanted to give some rather short lined details about something, one would place a voice call to the other person. If that other party could not take the call at that moment, one could leave a voice message. Now, people would rather send a text message to provide those same short(er) details. The person receiving the message can read the message when it was appropriate, and reply back when the time was right, assuming that a reply was necessary!
At first, this writer (“me”), thought that texting was not necessarily proper etiquette, believing that sending a text rather than calling was considered as too tacky. However, I discovered that people don’t necessarily have the opportunity to speak verbally due to where they may be at that moment, and would rather send things in writing where nothing can be unintentionally be heard as incorrect–such as forwarding an address, phone number, or somebody’s name or title. Facts about something or another is best if spelled out rather than verbally dictated. I have performed transactions with others using text as exclusive communication. Once in a while, I may leave a voice message to the other person to follow up, but most of the “hard news” communicated was delivered through text.
That last person who answered the Quora statement on what was acceptable now but not in another era went on to comment, “Why talk when you can text?” Texting is now the “new normal” method of communicating with one another. It also relieves the awkwardness of speaking to somebody when the message sender would rather not talk to the other, such as leaving a message to someone due to some kind of “falling out”. If somebody wanted to let’s say, end a romantic relationship, one can do that by text rather than performing that same message via e-mail or even in a face-to-face situation. For the record (“FTR”), sending a text message in order to break up with somebody isn’t necessarily proper in terms of etiquette–depending who you ask! However, it’s done more often that imagined. (Yours truly once had a relationship end by the other person sending me the message of the break-up through email, but that’s for another article!)
It would be interesting to know what elements that are not acceptable in this domestic society now will be relaxed in twenty years. It’s hard to call. However, when that is eventually reviled, we may be thinking upon what elements that were awkward back around the start of the 2020’s are now OK in the 2040s–IYKWIM!!
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NEWS AND REVIEWS
Making its world premier as a guest production at Los Angeles’ Odyssey Theatre is Brian Reynolds’ MONO/POLY, a dramatic comedy about a group of people that test their fidelity among one another and the outcomes that develop.
The scene unfolds at a costume party attended a group of people consisting of Victoria (Tanya Alexander), Bridget (Renata De Costa), Krystal (Megan Gainey) Susan (Georgia Gould). Jerry (Travis Joe Dixon), Miles (Dennis Renard) and Henri (Angela Sauer). They meet up with Scott (Robert Mammana) who is engaged in a polyamorous based lifestyle who holds a series of intimate relationships with other people, and not necessarily with those of the opposite sex! This method of alternative relations later become interlaced with these same folks that include a pair of couples that were previously monogamous. This leads toward a challengeable drive toward this practice of relationships. Before long, their personal and even business associations become deeply involved and affected. New questions arise. Who is in love with whom? Who is the real husband and/or wife and who will service as its mirror? What must a person do to earn a “hall pass”, and will this pass be given with or without stings attached? And what are the rules between barriers and genders? If relationships are complicated as they are, how better (or worse) will they get?
This new play by writer and director Brian Reynolds is loosely based upon his own experience in hosting a relationship (or relationships) that became more open than what would be considered as standard, if not as “normal”. In this play, the character collective take these decisions as experimental, rather that what’s right and positive vs. wrong and unacceptable. These routines of convictions show this form of romantic relations as one that doesn’t use judgement based on social status. The first act presents much of the humor depicted on the ideas between men and woman’s reaction between love and sex–not necessarily in that order! Its second act becomes a bit more serious and sober, even though the play’s tone never forgets that this is a comedy or rather, a play that is comic in nature.
The cast of players that appear in this production are rather likable. They can represent the so-called “couples next door”, or the people one would find in the office working at a desk near by. This is what gives this play a unique appeal, even with the subjects on hand. Although there isn’t any nudity depicted, it does get slightly graphic. (Sex toys are depicted, but never used as intended!) However, because its subject matter is about sex, then the said props are just part of what is going on behind those closed doors!
Morgan MacDouglas’ set design is created as very minimal. Furnishings and door placements are arranged on stage in a floating manner, meaning they are interchanged from one scene to the next. MacDouglas also designs the costuming and props, giving the cast to dress up, dress down, and even undress based upon their settings and their mood.
MONO/POLY is a very amusing and unique play that again, addresses a lifestyle that is practiced on a small scale. Having multiple partners between men, women, or a combination of both are not for all tastes. But for those that are curious, this play may show that one (wo)man’s fantasy is another (wo)man’s curse. After all, everybody loves a lover, no matter what equipment they may have on (and in) hand!
MONO/POLY, presented by Tubeman Productions, and performs as a guest production at The Odyssey Theatre, 2055 South Sepulveda Blvd. (between Pico and Santa Monica Blvds.), Los Angeles, until November 10th. Showtimes are Thursday through Saturday nights at 8:00 PM, and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM.
For ticket reservation or for more information, call (310) 477-2055 x 2, or online at
http://www.MonoPolyThePlay.com
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