Email was the tipping point for technology. It was the golden child that brought asynchronous discussion to the masses. Email became wildly popular, and was even romanticized with You’ve Got Mail. People began talking about it’s “instant” communication ability. A decade later, it no longer seems like the freeing application it once was. Some might call if “golden handcuffs” of current technology.
Arvind Grover recently began campaigning against it’s current use in education. Is it possible to get rid of email entirely? To me it’s like trying to get rid of the post office. It would require an entire shift in practices of a whole lot of people.
What can we do to improve communication? The question actually might be better phrased as, “what can we do to prevent miscommunication?” I think a basic re-education of communication tools is needed. Below is a basic outline for communication priority:
- Asynchronous communication (email, discussion boards, facebook wallposts, etc) are considered low priority. Response time is considerably less than other forms of communication.
- Synchronous distance communication (phone, video conference, skype, etc.) Slightly higher priority, needed immediate feedback, but immediate action not always required.
- Synchronous face-to-face (a meeting). Hight priority. Action is needed ASAP, or according to timeline.
I am curious to find out other peoples vision of life without email, or a reformed email world. Has email actually improved our production? Is it a better communication tool?
