#6) Convenience vs. Communication Effectiveness

Facebook, Myspace, Email, Instant messaging, text-messaging... All of these efficient communication technologies are so much quicker and easier than hand-writing a letter or calling someone on the phone. Why have we done away with actual voice-recognition communication or personal penmanship and reverted to these typed out misleading messages?

For me, if I wanted to contact someone out of state, the best way would be to call them. I am not saying that email is bad or sometimes not the best way to communicate. But usually, if I am trying to get a hold of someone out of state, then I probably haven't talked to them in a while... so why would I choose to type out a message that really can't explain emotions the way a phone-call can. It's very interesting to see how communication has greatly changed do to the creation of email.

So, what does it mean? How can we continue to use one of the greatest technological inventions, in my opinion, without losing deep meaning within communication? It is hard, that's for sure... But we need to understand that one can feel better about the conversation they are having with someone if they can hear the expression and the tone in his/her voice. I love to email, text-message, facebook message, and instant message because it's easy and efficient. However, I find it discouraging to hear when people only converse with others by those means. With so much communication technology out there in the world, it is easy to get caught up in it and forget about real effective communication.

I just challenge people to take a look at the way they are using means of communication and see if they can create more opportunities to pick up that phone or pull out a piece of paper and a pen rather than to sit at a computer and type up a message that doesn't contain as much meaning. Ironic, though, isn't it?... that I am typing out a blog post on the ineffectiveness of communication based on the very means I am using to get my point across...

....that's something to think about...