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> Phone calls aren't really a thing anymore

Aren't they? What have I missed? Messages are async - if you don't want to disturb, calls are sync - if you need confirmation from the other side or you need several exchanges back and forth.

I text much more than ten years ago but I call (and receive calls) the same or perhaps slightly more.

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I estimate that I receive maybe one unanticipated non-spam call per year.

I get a few from elderly relatives. And a few more from businesses with legit reasons to call me but who either have not shifted to text/email or blast multiple communication channels.

I never answer my phone unless I'm expecting it or if it is a close relative and I'm not otherwise occupied. I never listen to a voice mail. If I recognize the caller and want to respond I'll send them a text when I get to it. If I don't recognize the caller I might give a quick skim of the VM transcription to see if it was actually important, but it almost never is.

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