we communicate more, but less!

Like most, I have seen the rapid growth of the Internet and social networking sites and how they have affected not just our lives but also business; on the whole I think this has been for the good.


But I have also noticed how, on the face of it, we communicate more, but actually speak to each other less!


I guess it really started with SMS. This phenomenon gripped us all (well most of us) and instead of calling someone to tell them we were running late, we texted them. Why didn't we call? I don't know.... In fact, I have witnessed many instances where a text conversation has lasted hours with multiple to and fro'ing (in trying to agree a time and place to meet), when a simple phone call would have sorted it out in minutes! But if you suggest to the person to actually call and make arrangements they look at you in disgust and contempt!


The same behaviour seems to apply to email. Previously a phone call to someone would have sufficed. Now, it seems strangely either uncool or inappropriate to actually speak to them! Instead you will 'ping' them an email...why? When a phone call would 'sort things out'?

Now we have Blogs, Twitter etc etc...where is taking us?


So, returning to my original thought. Although we now have multiple methods for communicating with each other, we seem to be speak less. Should we be concerned?