I personally haven't experienced anyone using the word slash, nor do I use it. The punctuation mark and the slang word slash are very different. The punctuation mark is meant to capture two or more descriptions of the same thing. The word slash distinguishes between what the speaker or writer intends to do, and what the speaker or writer actually did. Slash can also be used as a way a follow up on something that is taking place later or as an afterthought. This adds to the confusion on how to use the word slash because there is so many ways that it can be used.
Changing the meaning of this concept (from mere punctuation to a unique conjunction) does change the way we think about the ideas that it connects. Spelling out the word slash instead of using the punctuation completely changes the meaning of what someone is saying. Language has the ability to change the way we think, from how a word is pronounced to how something is spelled makes all the difference on how we think about it.
I agree that today its all about quickness and getting things done as fast as you can such as be home b4 dinner tonight at 8 ttyl. Instead of saying be home at eight for dinner, see you soon or something of that sort. I have never used slash myself besides in class when they put and/or, her/him etc. When the kids were giving examples of how they use it on there twitter or facebook post, it almost sounded like our usage of hashtag. I think that language is the same as it was but just evolved to easier use. Such as adorkable instead of just saying he is adorable in a dorky way. Or maybe a lazier way of speaking, which affects how we think. In the end words are very important to who we are and how we go about our life.
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