Death to Voicemail

I cannot stress enough how much I despise voicemail. It was a great idea 10-15 years ago before cell phones were as prominent as they now are (back then people used things called "answering machines"), but it has outlived it's usefulness. It is no longer a convenient tool, it is the exact opposite of that.

Compared to more advanced ways of communication, such as text messaging and email, voicemail is unbelievably time consuming. Checking it requires listening to that smug computer voice that tries to prompt me with useless options in order to take up even more of my time. On my work phone, I counted 13 buttons I have to push before I even reach the messages: the voicemail button (1), my extension and pound (5), my password and pound (5), get messages (1), listen to new messages (1). At least on my cell I just need to be ready to press the delete button.

In some cases I understand the need to leave a voicemail for me at work. If that is my only contact info you have and haven't been able to reach me then I guess it is acceptable to leave me a short, concise message. The fraction of passable voicemails is small though. Even if it is an appropriate occasion for a voicemail, the leaver of the message usually rambles on for an intolerable duration of time. Often, people within my own company (in the same building as me) feel compelled to leave me voicemails. This is admittedly better than them coming to talk to me, but I would still prefer an email. I cringe every time I see that red button lit on my phone.

The other problem with voicemails is if you have to write something down for later, you are stuck with an annoying scrap of paper that is begging to get lost. A text or email is already on record to retrieve when necessary. Much more tidy and efficient.

There are still people addicted to voicemail, however. They actually use the advances in technology to receive their "voicemail crack" in numerous ways...

I'm shocked that people actually do this. The last thing I want is for voicemails to get mixed in with my other messages. If it wasn't important enough to emailed or texted to me to begin with, I'm sure it can wait.