Why do you believe so many people prefer to communicate via text/chat when talking on the phone would be more efficient?

It might just be me, but recently I’ve observed that people are chatting and texting more and more from their cell phones than they spend just calling the people. I realize that they might be saving some money on phone calls, but with so many cell plans being free after 7pm, etc., and nationwide, and with 10 “favorite” numbers, it just doesn’t make sense to me. Plus, the cost of a data plan is comparable to the cost of the extra minutes you’d spend calling someone. All the time I see people chatting, and I myself do it as well, about such mundane topics as “what do you want to do tonight” that ultimately comprise over 20 texts, or roughly 10–15 minutes of staggered interaction, when a telephone call could resolve everything in 1–2 minutes, and in a much more focused, direct, and dare I say “human” manner. Is talking on the phone being replaced by texting/chatting? Do we simply prefer hiding behind the mask of a device or computer? Are we intimidated by telephonic awkward pauses, or need more time to think of a witty response, or simply prefer having the ability to manage multiple simultaneous conversations? More importantly, does this trend signify anything “deeper”? What are the broader implications for this shift in social interaction?

To me it seems counterintuitive to chat with someone on your smartphone while walking down the sidewalk when you could just call the person (ideally when you’ve reached a “safer” location to call them); too often people are so absorbed in their chats/texts that they lose touch with their surroundings, get in car accidents, bump into trees and people, and even… step in mud puddles.

Thoughts?