We live in an amazing era of technology. Never has our world been so connected where we can instantly communicate with friends and family with simple clicks on our smartphones, tablets and computers. iMessage, Facebook, Gmail, Snapchat, Instagram and SMS are some of the most popular ways to communicate. You post updates at any time in the day or night to let others know what you’re up to and how you’re doing. While all of those methods are a great way to communicate, they’re sometimes not the best way to get across nuances that your voice and face can in person or over the phone.
Call me old or old-fashioned – I’m probably a little of both and am not afraid to admit it. I grew up as a child of the 80s where I didn’t have access to instant gratification of a smartphone or the internet. If I wanted to communicate with someone it was either in person, in a letter using the postal system, or over the phone using my voice. It was only until I reached my teens when I learned the power of the internet and it changed my life, and everyone’s life for the better.
There are many young adults and children who don’t know life without the internet or data plans. My advice to you is choose your form of communication wisely. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Email and text allows you to keep your messages short, concise and straight to the point. However if you’re trying to get an important point across, it lacks the tone of your voice that might lead to miscommunication. For example, while you might think you’re being funny with sarcasm in a text/email, the recipient may not see it that way.
Another advantage to text/email is the ability to communicate to a wide audience without having to be in the same location. However there are many times when people are in group chats and tire of the endless banter that activates notifications all day/night long.
Technology cannot replace meeting in person or talking over the phone when it comes to important subject matter. That’s especially true for business matters like negotiations. Email/text also should never be used to send condolences in times of sorrow. If you really care, you’ll take the time to let the person know that you’re there for them and are sorry for their loss. The opposite is true for things like family photos or pictures of food and pets. While you might love those things and want to share it with the world, text, email and social media are a great way to pass along that information.
Don’t be afraid to make a call or meet up with in person to those who matter most. The nuances of communication have not been mastered by text, email or social media and cannot replace the real thing.
Enjoy your Sunday and stay out of the heat.