What We Have Become

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Anonymous, Unknown country

Love message through text

July 17, 2012

            While the author of this message is not named, it is clear that she is in a relationship with “Nathan,” to whom she is professing her love in this text. It is unclear whether the text was sent for a particular reason or occasion such as an anniversary, which leads viewers to conclude that the writer of this love message just wanted to remind her companion how much she truly cares. Many people send messages similar to this text, which shows how impersonal a text can be; anyone could have written this text. A text message is important to the larger world because nowadays, everyone texts and can agree with the fact that messaging through technology has greatly overtaken messages through traditional writing. Because texting has become so popular over the past few years, many people receive this example very easily because they can relate to it.

            The fact that this message was sent for no particular occasion demonstrates how modernized love letters, or text messages, have become popular because of the convenience. One does not have to plan out a long message or wait for days for a message to travel in the mail, but instead can remind their significant other that they are thinking of them with a few clicks of keys on a electronic keyboard. For this reason, we have included this text message in our exhibit because it fully shows how expressions of love have become modernized over the decades. I think this demonstrates how a text message can seem impersonal, especially with the cheesy use of metaphors, such as “the sun moon and stars.” A text message is also very informal because of the lack of punctuation and grammar.

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Anonymous, Unknown country, Unknown date

Photograph of text message

Unknown Year

This photograph of a text message was created by a person to express their feelings of love.  The artist who wrote this message made it to show their love to another person by typing how they feel in a text.  The text alone may not seem to be important to the larger world because it only affects two people.  However, it is important to the world as a whole because it shows how much love letter writing has changed over time.  It demonstrates how this form of art has progressed and modernized over the years.  It is a classic example of a love letter written today.  There are not criticisms of this text but it can be viewed in different ways.  This text can be seen as a great way to express love to some, while others may view it as a cheesy and not a truly emotional form of expression.  

I included this piece because it is an example of a modernized love letter.  It is a love text that has replaced the use of love letters.  People rarely write their feelings for another person using a pen and paper anymore because there is better technology that makes using a phone or computer faster and more simple.  The flaw with this progression is that love letters do not have as much character as in the past.  This text uses words that are associated with love along with smiley faces and hearts.  However, it does not have the personality that a handwritten letter would have.  The language is not as descriptive nor poetic as many older love letters are.  There are many love texts that are all similar in many ways.  This text is an appropriate example because it has many things that a typical text would include.  

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Anonymous Author

SMS Message sent via cell phone

10:30 am, November 29, 2012

This text message was sent from a girl to her boyfriend on their anniversary. The couple had been dating for a year and a half, and this single text message is the initial acknowledgement of their special day. The teenage girl is away at college, which is represented in the message by the “i can’t wait 2 c u.” A long distance relationship is quite an accomplishment, making this particular anniversary all the more special. Despite the sincerity and personal content of the message being delivered, the author chooses to use very insincere forms of the language. The inclusion of the short hand versions of the words “to,” “you,” and “see” insinuate a lack of time put into the creation of the text message. This texting language was created for convenience in order to be use time efficiently when writing and reading a message. With this creation came a loss of the more formal and personal version of writing.

The inclusion of this text message in our exhibit is crucial because it clearly identifies the lack of formality associated with technology. When compared to the Ronald Reagan love letter, I believe this message is less romantic, and seems to be less heartfelt. Although the couple engaging in the texting conversation may be just as in love as the Reagans were, the message written by Ronald Reagan conveys the passion much more effectively. The font in the text is rigid and generic, while the hand written words are flowing and possess character; each word written deliberately and carefully chosen. I chose to include this particular text because it is written for the same occasion as the Reagan love letter. The contrast of love letters from the different generations is obvious and correlates with the overall argument of this exhibit.  

"Thanks For Sleeping With Me"

Beck, U.S.A., Unknown Date of CreationGreen Pen on Yellow Sticky NoteUnkown Year

        Some critics of this piece, which was posted anonymously on the Internet, argue that it comes off as needy or even desperate. Others argue that it is an honest expression of emotion and should not be critiqued for its blunt word choice. This particular piece relies heavily on the audience’s personal experiences with relationships, as well as their taste in one’s personal expression of emotion.

        This piece was chosen for its blunt nature, a very far cry from many love letters proclaiming their love in poetic forms. The simple compliments made throughout the piece show the author’s use of their impulses to express what they really felt without masking it. Although Beck crudely thanks “B” for sleeping with her, there is much more meaning behind this note, making it a great addition to the exhibit.

Beck represents the average citizen, this is not a work by some great author, poet, painter, or musician; it is simply a common love letter that turns out to be very unique. Without the backing of a great resume or famous ties, the author does not matter in this piece, only the composition itself. When most people think of a love letter, they do not think of one that is written on a small yellow square of paper, let alone one that includes the words “thanks for sleeping with me”.

This piece is a phenomenal example of a layman’s love letter. In stark contrast to the famous Elzie Segar’s charming love letter consisting of a professional drawing and a short paragraph, this note has an extremely casual air about it. The casualness of this letter seems to give the audience an idea of the relationship between “B” and Beck, as well as a more modern example of what typical love letters have become. From the simple structure of the note, to the actual paper it is written on, this letter exudes a relaxed feel. When Beck writes “… you saved my bacon so many times…”, she uses a very unique and casual phrase to show that she is thankful for having “B” in her life. Along with this word choice, saying that “B” weaseled his way into her heart is a unique way of saying that she is falling for him. One can infer that the two involved with this letter have a very strong friendship built into their romantic relationship.