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?
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I largely agree Philip. And the big problem with email especially is that all of the emotion is stripped out of the message and it's up to the recipient to interpret the "tone of voice" used by the sender. This happened to me only today, when an email I sent to a colleague was misinterpreted. But all it took to sort it out was a quick phone call.
ReplyDeleteThe only downside to using the phone - and it seems worse than ever these days - is that you never seem to be able to get hold of anyone first, second or even third time around. And unless they're selling and you're buying, few people seem to return calls, so in these cases an email at least gets your message in front of the person.
Come to think of it, why didn’t I ‘phone you with this comment?!
Glen Mitton
www.mitton.co.uk