Instant Messages and Instant Gratification

There is little doubt that we live in a culture of instant gratification.  We all want things, and we want them now.  Going to the video store is lengthy, but downloading on iTunes can take a fraction of that time (and, as a bonus, you can do something else during that download).  Instant messengers give us the same ability for communications.  The question is, do we benefit from it?

Sure, somethings are truly urgent and demand an immediate response.  (Will you marry me?, Did you run over my dog? And, Can you feel this drilling in your mouth?, all being amongst them.)

Other however require thought to give a proper answer.  Trying to fit them into an instant gratification model just won’t do.  What is needed here is temperance and good judgement.  Practice those traits when looking for a quick fix answer.