The future is shorter, faster and more impatient. And all converging on the mobile.

Letters --> Email --> Texting --> X
Autobiographies --> Blogs --> Twitter --> X

"X" could very well be precooked emoticon-like icons. The next generation of kids will probably not want to type anything at all. They'll just send icons. Maybe with optional parameters. Maybe there'll be a "Let's meet for coffee" icon so that all you have to fill in is the time and place. Maybe there'll be a "I need some space. Maybe we should see other people" icon.

I loath the day when I'll have kids and they talk in a language I don't understand.