Squiggle; one definition is poor or lazy handwriting (speaking of no one in particular). Merriam-Webster defines a squiggle as; a short wavy twist or line . Taking editorial liberties, for this tome’s purpose, I’m amplifying the word—to include symbolic marks—which covers a multitude of visuals.
My family—and a few non-relatives—complained for years about my handwriting; what’s worse, over the years my squiggles have tended to transmigrate, not for the better. With the advent of cyber technology, redemption can happen; lately when signing a credit card bill I’m instructed, “Use your finger and make a mark on the screen.” The electronic receiver doesn’t care if you’re using Parker Vector Standard handwriting or a squiggle–just mark the cuss-ed form!
On a related matter, the “Bar Code” is not exactly a squiggle, but close. In 1948 the bar code was invinted by two Drexel University students to expedite Super Market checkout; it is now in universal use—from osteopaths to ocean-going freighters. Its twin, the QR code , is now ubiquitous—maybe a little more like a squiggle, but it carries far more information; there are 4,296 alphanumeric characters in a single QR code. Bar Codes, QR codes and foreign languages—in computers are all “boiled down” to communicating using only two symbols; 1 0 — Binary symbols—squiggles, if you will.
To some extent a relationship with another person is something of a squiggle—a little like the short wavy twist or line, as defined by Merriam-Webster. Unless we invest self into the relationship, it remains just, well, squiggly. In recent years, I have retrieved and curated a few relationships from over the years; Time and distance had separated us. But life’s curve balls have served to knit several of us closer—aided greatly, among other things, by cell-phones. I have “Phone appointments,” and catch up on family, mutual friends, and mutual interests. The squiggles have become straight lines of communication for me; maybe for you as well.
What matters is that the sender and receiver must understand each other. It is way more complicated than that—but not really. I liken it to, well, Psalm 46. Hearers are invited to turn aside from distractions and deeply communicate with God. In data entry, each “squiggle” must be precise for clear communication to be complete. As I type this, each electronic character is necessary for clear communication. But unlike computers, we human beings are imperfect. However our redemption is wonderfully in the forgiveness we receive (and give) toward joy in life. Autocorrect doesn’t always have that leverage—God’s autocorrect is perfect.
© Copyright Willis H. Moore 2024