There are other ways to communicate. Smoke signals, letters, that sort of thing. But that isn't as quick as these. Or the snail phones back home. I think those just had people's voice. Not like writing, uh, 'texting' or showing someone like these, though.

[Not the worst or most inaccurate assessment. Marines are just against pirates. Not that that has stopped Chopper helping them when they needed treatment for injuries after getting caught in a storm.]