Phone Calls, The Original Social Network

It might seem a little far fetched but, not long ago, people used their phone to actually talk to one another. It was even quite common to memorize the phone numbers of your friends and call them on a regular basis, either to ask a specific question or to catch up in general. Boys would nervously ask for the phone number of a girl they had a crush on. Girls would anxiously pick up. In order to truly get to know one another, they had to talk, not just text. Beyond grabbing coffee or other in-person activities, the only way to learn about someone was to pick up the phone, ask questions, and listen intently.

People also chatted to make plans or coordinate activities. Was this a less efficient planning process? Absolutely. Did the lack of efficiency create better stories? Debateable. Did people spend more time talking? You betcha! The phone connected people. More specifically, phone calls nurtured and strengthened relationships.

Social Networks Today

But the world has changed. Social networks have made staying connected with friends and family very easy — maybe too easy. Facebook is a great product. Without it, millions would not know what’s going on in the lives of their friends and loose-tie acquaintances. But how much do these status updates equate to truly “connecting”?

We argue that being connected, digitally, only mimics the feeling of connecting socially with others. As shared by many during our own investigation, there seems to be no substitute for hearing someone’s voice. A face-to-face conversation being, of course, the most personal social interaction off all, while the next best alternative being, we believe, a conversation over the phone. In both instances, a tremendous amount of context is shared in the tone of each other’s voice. The same message delivered in written form does not carry the same weight and social cues are lost in translation.

“Connecting” in the Future

Looking ahead, it’s unlikely we will return to a world where phone calls outnumber texts/emails/status updates. Our countless user interviews surfaced many situations where phone calls are and are not the preferred communication method. We learned where and why text messages and emails play a vital role in daily communication. But we strongly believe that social networks and text-based communications, while efficient, have limitations. And while these limitations aren’t necessarily bad, when competing against the original social network, the phone call, modern social networks cannot and should not be a complete replacement.

Our product, SayMore, strives to connect people through conversation. We are reimagining the phone call experience to make it fun to talk on the phone again. Our team is inspired by how talking and conversation can lead to greater happiness. We are moved by the work of academics such as Sherry Turkle who champion themes similar to ours. We believe that when words are verbally exchanged in active dialogue, magic takes place.

So the next time you’re on a social network, pause for a moment and reflect on the goal you are hoping to achieve — is it to mimic the feeling of social connection or are you seeking a real interaction with your friends? There’s nothing wrong with simple digital connections. But if you’re looking to authentically and emotionally connect with others, we encourage you to partake in the original social network: pick up the phone, call, and relish the moments of spontaneous 1:1 dialogue. At a minimum, we guarantee you will feel a connection that’s deeper than a status update.