Emails have become the major way of communicating
between modern adults or texting especially with teens
But what is missing is the emotional component inherent
in face to face communication-the sender's body language
which is in turn influenced by the receiver's body language.
Many miscommunications can be traced to lack of emotions
with our words. I can say "I love you" (sweetly or contemptuously)
depending on my body language and tone of voice.
With just words, the interpretation is left up to the receiver
or you can use little emoticons to try to express more.
So you see communication on the internet is complex.
That's what caused some miscommunications with a writing group
I'm part of. Someone to remain unnamed emailed her complaints
quite forcefully to our past president and demanded changes.
It was a case of my way or the highway. If this person had tried
to communicate in person with emotions under control, the problems
could have been solved, but she didn't. Our past president resigned.
So we are making a new beginning with lessons learned the hard way.