Why we need to stop using voice apps

I’ll just start with a huge ‘I plead guilty’, because if there’s anyone who records voice messages on WhatsApp at any given moment, it’s me. It’s easy, it’s quick, you can do it while unloading the dishwasher, and you can add a bit more nuance with your voice than in a written message.

But what are the advantages for the sender are immediately the disadvantages for the receiver. They can’t just listen to the message in between. They need to find a quiet private spot (you never know what the other person is going to say) to listen to a message for 2 (!) or 3 (!!) minutes. Of course, there’s a function to play it back faster, but it’s still a task to get through all those messages.

There are indeed exceptions to the rule. The voice messages from my friend J afterthe reunion on Saturday night are gold. That was just catching up from a distance. And if a voice message replaces a longer phone call, I consider it legitimate.

You also need to know that recording a voice message isn’t possible if you want something from someone else. If someone comes apply and records a voice message for me on WhatsApp, I’m not going to accept that. Then you don’t quite feel the balance. If you want something from the other person, you send a message. Only people who are really, really, really busy are entitled, but even then I would say: keep it short. And even better: add a little synopsis of what the message is about. The plan for tomorrow/listening alone because it’s juicy/no rush. Something like that.

So voice app, but voice app in moderation.