Stop Using Auto Correct As an Excuse.

Dear Digital Communicators,

When did we become so lazy that we cannot take an extra 3 seconds to proof read ourselves before we send that email from our phone, or Facebook post, or a text?  Yes it is hilarious and we all read the "Best Auto Correct Texts of All Time." But are they really? Aren't they just evidence of our laziness and stupidity?

The more we use this as an excuse, the more we stop practicing our skill sets in reading, writing, typing, and spelling.  Doesn't it seem like these are pretty core functions of our abilities as humans to capture our culture and our history for generations to come?  Our school systems are failing us enough as it is (but this is another story), so shouldn't we take the opportunities we have and encourage others to take the opportunities they have to not be dumb and lazy Americans?

To be clear, I'm not encouraging all the catty comments and corrections that pour out in response to seeing typos, poor grammar, or my favorites are just the utter lack of ability to know the difference between two words that sound the same but are in fact, very different in meaning and thereby spelling.  This is not the solution - all this accomplishes is to breed resentment and provoke responses along the lines of "whatever, she's just being a bitch."

It's important to love and encourage, not belittle through condescendence.  Be a part of the solution, and proof read your messages that you send into the world.  Whether they are intended to be or not, they are reflections of your ability to effectively communicate and also your intellect or level of ignorance.  Use learning and teaching moments to instill a solid understanding of the importance of using the English language appropriately to your children.

Especially in the work environment.  My goodness.  Adding a sentence into your automatically generated signature that lets all of us know to "please excuse any mistakes because the message is being sent from a mobile device" is not only lazy, but entirely unprofessional.  You mean to tell me that you are so high above those that you are communicating with that you cannot spend 4 seconds to proof read yourself and make any necessary changes?  It is more important to you to be quick (read flippant) with your response that you don't care that you look dumb to me?

Don't be a hypocrite. Don't shame or condone others if you are guilty. Yes we all make mistakes, but in this type of digital environment spare us all the cringe factor and for the love of Jesus, proof read.