A server, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing a message thread module with instructions executed by the processor to maintain a message thread between a first user and a second user by: directing a client device to display a text entry of the message thread for a duration of a transitory period, and automatically deleting at the server the text entry of the message thread after the duration of the transitory display period unless an indication of a gesture applied to a display screen presenting the text entry of the message thread is received during the transitory display period, in which case the text entry of the message thread is maintained by the server and characterized in that the server provides feedback to a client device of one of the first and second user that the text entry of the message thread is preserved, wherein the message thread module includes instructions executed by the processor to alter a parameter associated with the text entry of the message thread in response to the indication, the parameter indicating that the first user and/or the second user persisted the text entry of the message thread. a processor; and a memory storing a message thread module with instructions executed by the processor to maintain a message thread between a first user and a second user by: directing a client device to display a text entry of the message thread for a duration of a transitory period, and automatically deleting at the server the text entry of the message thread after the duration of the transitory display period unless an indication of a gesture applied to a display screen presenting the text entry of the message thread is received during the transitory display period, in which case the text entry of the message thread is maintained by the server and characterized in that the server provides feedback to a client device of one of the first and second user that the text entry of the message thread is preserved, wherein the message thread module includes instructions executed by the processor to alter a parameter associated with the text entry of the message thread in response to the indication, the parameter indicating that the first user and/or the second user persisted the text entry of the message thread. directing a client device to display a text entry of the message thread for a duration of a transitory period, and automatically deleting at the server the text entry of the message thread after the duration of the transitory display period unless an indication of a gesture applied to a display screen presenting the text entry of the message thread is received during the transitory display period, in which case the text entry of the message thread is maintained by the server and characterized in that the server provides feedback to a client device of one of the first and second user that the text entry of the message thread is preserved, wherein the message thread module includes instructions executed by the processor to alter a parameter associated with the text entry of the message thread in response to the indication, the parameter indicating that the first user and/or the second user persisted the text entry of the message thread.