The Misuse of E-mail
E-mail fascinates me, culturally speaking. Everyone uses e-mail, but it’s misunderstood. It’s simple yet powerful. It’s an efficient form of communication, but the speed with which one can write, send and forget about an e-mail belies the underlying complexities and subtleties. Let’s talk about what e-mail is not.
E-mail is neither a replacement for a hand-written note, nor is it a substitute for face-to-face conversation. For things more formal or serious, e-mail won’t cut it. Write a letter or talk in person; it’s as simple as that.
E-mail is not a place to air dirty laundry or a place to YELL, scold or reprimand. With e-mail, there’s no guarantee of privacy or confidence and it’s almost completely atonal. Conversations like these are best kept out of e-mail.
E-mail shouldn’t be used for 1000-word theses or one-word replies. Say what you need to say, but be reasonable. If what you have to say requires 1000-words, you need to be writing a essay not an e-mail, and one-word replies are almost always a waste of time.
Finally, and most importantly, e-mail is not a magical land where manners and civility no longer matter. If it’s not something you would say to someone’s face, it doesn’t belong in an e-mail.
It’s easy to fall into the trap that e-mail should be treated frivolously. Don’t make that mistake. E-mail is a legitimate means of communication and should be treated with respect.
