Using Email as a WeaponThursday, April 13, 2006The way we communicate continues to de-evolve. Technology presents us with new and pathetic ways to avoid human interaction. Technology, when used appropriately empowers us; when used inappropriately confines us. My favorite ball and chain: email. 75% of my email is total junk. If I need Valium, Xanax, Viagra, or Cialis, I have thousands of suppliers to choose from. I have been married for 18 years, but I am targeted as a single who is looking to meet people in my area. Who? I can get free money, loans, gamble, get government grants, and increase the size of my breasts. Now that is something my wife would like. I even got offers for diapers today! My youngest is seven. I got an offer to date a bachelor - yeah! I was offered secret information on stocks, making money, getting rich quickly... on it goes. I need to take Valium or Xanax so that I can read all of this stuff. Who sends all of this email anyway? Morons. This all sets the context for my rant tonight. Email is the worst form of communication ever invented. All of the socially challenged people use email to hide behind. They launch email attacks against their enemies and feel the power. They say things in email they would never have the guts to say in person to someone. They say things in email that they would never say in person. I have seen more inappropriate interaction between coworkers, friends and family via email. Just fire up Firefox and cook up a really venomous email and click on the SEND button. Then sit back and feel the power. Every second an email goes out that devastates someone. Email lacks voice inflections, context, and substance. If you have anything to say that is even remotely confrontational, shut your computer OFF. Go directly to the person and deal with the issue. If you can't tell someone in person what you just wrote in an email DO NOT send it. Email has very few appropriate uses. You can use email to: Announce an event State a fact. Make your wife or husband laugh Send photographs of your kids Actually there are more appropriate ways to use email; however, it seems I see more and more inappropriate email everyday. I think we are at a point of crisis. We have a generation who is learning to communicate behind the firewall. Are we teaching this generation how to really communicate effectively? When this generation gets into the workforce, will they just carry palm devices around and type messages to each other? Will they just send an instant message to the guy in the cubicle next to them instead of talking to them face to face? I am concerned. Am I the only one? I would love to get some opinions. I am going to go take my Valium now, I am worn out. :) posted at 4/13/2006 09:28:00 PM |
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Copyright © 2006 Beat Your Own Drum
4 Comments:
In a not-for-profit group I volunteer with we had an "e-mail terrorist", a term you have used that definitely seemed applicable to our situation.
We finally ended up having to hold a special meeting with her to address the situation. In her case, she would mud sling, but always with a disclaimer that the recipient must NOT share her rantings with anyone else. It was her way of trying to vent her venom, while bascially holding the recipient hostage.
Our meeting seems to have put an end to it for now. Consequently, we are working on changing our bylaws to avoid similiar situations in the future...
The whole techo groupie thing is too much. I agree with you about e-mail. What in the world is a Christian mortgage? I dont need viagra or a date and I dont want to voice my opinion on diapers.Trash, trash, trash. I have a daughter who thinks the only way to communicate (that is when she actually wants to) is by email. I can hardly wait for my Mother's Day e-mail. And don't get me started on people with cell phones going off all the time!
The email thing is so true. I have a coworker in the next cubicle who prefers to send me emails to ask me a simple question. Good Lord, she could ask me the question from her desk, but she has to send me an email instead???? And yes, people say things in emails that they would never, ever say to your face. I had an issue with my brother-in-law not too long ago (long, long story there) and I got three emails from my sister containing things that she would never have had the guts to say to me in person. Ugh, now I need to take my Prozac while I order a finest replica Rolex and check out those hot stocks that will make me millions in no time! ;-)
You are spot on with this one.
Without the voice inflections, the interpretation of the intent is left up to the reader, and a high percentage of the time, that interpretation is way worse than intended.
I agree that if you have something confrontational in your craw, your fingers are not the right avenue for releasing it all... eyeballs and mouth is the way to go.
I liked the mouse story. :)
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