Instant recall

You want to know why, don8217;t you? That8217;s because most instant messages we receive are merely 8216;8216;forwards8217;8217; forwarded to forward smiles that grace each face the moment they are read. No meanings attached. More often than not, that is.

Let8217;s face it: the SMS forwarding spree has caught the fancy of young and old alike. Less feelings and emotions conveyed. More fun. For fun. This forwarding-mania has cast its spell on most cell-phone users. So whether it is an emotional one-liner, a little picture message, a nasty joke or simply a few words of praise, remember it may not mean what it reads.

Discontents, of course, have also gotten into the act. They have coined a new word to denote these forwards. They call it spim 8212; that is spam conveyed through instant messages.

Back to some recent messages. No conjuring up meanings. No sweet euphemisms. Let8217;s agree, the written word no longer can be taken as a certitude. Take this SMS: 8216;8216;I believe you were born in this world a cute little baby, now that you8217;ve grown up, what the hell happened?8217;8217; Or this: 8216;8216;I8217;m sorry I cannot marry you. My family is in the iron and steel business. My aunt irons and my uncle steals!8217;8217; Now that8217;s ridiculous. Or ridiculously funny, would you say?

Whatever it be, at least it made you laugh. Or smile. So the drill is clear: read, smile and delete.

And in case you are still not humoured, there8217;s an instant message to reflect your irritation: 8216;8216;A study has proven that all those using their thumbs on the cell-phone were monkeys in a previous birth. Now don8217;t change your finger, it8217;s too late to prove otherwise.8217;8217;