Day 85 – Death of the Letter

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85/365 (March 26, 2010) – I teach a bit. Mostly online. And I’m simply flabbergasted at the lack of communication skills today. I have received emails the likes of the following in recent times:

“Hey, this is a dumb question. I was having trouble trying to find the different “types” of hatcheries. Thanks”

That’s it, that was the entire email. No subject line either. Apparently I am not Dr. Ackerman, his instructor, I am merely “Hey”. And no, there are no dumb questions, but there certainly are poorly phrased ones. I honestly had no idea what he expected for a response. But I did inform him that my name was not “Hey”.

I assume that the invention of text messaging has destroyed what little formality still existed in the letter. But if you haven’t met someone, and you are planning to communicate with them, and they hold a position of authority…don’t you think “Hey Prof” is a bit informal?

But it’s not just students. We seem to have forgotten how to treat people with respect in communications. Even simple ones, like emails. I admit I’m generally informal in my emails, but I generally do start with a hello at least, before getting to the reason for the message. Usually there is some form of semi-formal ending too. A simple “Regards”, “Cheers”, and occasionally a “Sincerely”.

Letters devolved to emails, emails are devolving into text messages. I think each still has a function, but online social networking seems to be changing things at a rapid pace and not necessarily in a completely positive direction.

I read Lynn Truss’s book the other day, Eats Shoots, and Leaves. Loved it, wish everyone would read it….

Is the written word dying, or just evolving in a way that I can’t really appreci8?