Texting is a lot like an answering machine. If you don't want to talk to somebody, it's like screening your calls. To me, it's a way of communication, but not one that I favor.

Pat Gillick's quote, "Texting is a lot like an answering machine. If you don't want to talk to somebody, it's like screening your calls. To me, it's a way of communication, but not one that I favor," offers a critique of modern communication, particularly texting. He compares it to an answering machine, suggesting that it allows people to avoid direct interaction. Just as one can screen calls to avoid conversations, texting can create a similar sense of detachment and a lack of immediacy.

Gillick, known for his work as a baseball executive, is emphasizing the impersonal nature of texting. In contrast to face-to-face conversations or even phone calls, texting can feel less genuine and more like a way to avoid meaningful interactions. He suggests that while it serves as a valid form of communication, it lacks the depth and connection that more direct forms of contact can provide.

By referring to texting as "screening your calls," Gillick is highlighting how technology has changed the way we communicate. People can now choose when to respond, sometimes leading to misunderstandings or a sense of disconnection. This sense of control over timing might seem convenient, but it can also hinder the spontaneity and immediacy that make conversations richer and more personal.

Ultimately, the quote reflects Gillick's preference for more authentic and personal methods of communication. He acknowledges texting as a functional tool but expresses his belief that it doesn't offer the same level of emotional engagement and human connection that more direct forms of communication provide.