Typing hints do the opposite of imitating life. Both parties are occupying different physical spaces & communicating through text. If I send a letter, I receive no signal whether the other party will be replying. I think that's why they cause anxiety. To me, they are nothing more another addictive tactic to keep the user in the app. Maybe they would be less yucky in livestream chats & similar things where users congregate at once.

You keep hitting good topics today. Sorry.😂