"Answering machines. More specifically, the world in which we needed them.

It used to be that if you couldn’t get a hold of someone, it was fine. They would call you back at some point in a number of days.

Now, not reaching someone for an hour is a problem. Our phones tell other people when we’ve read messages but not responded. 

I think the plausible deniability we had was healthier for relationships. Constant contact can get so overbearing these days."