Essay on Technology Reducing the Need for Face to Face Communication

Because face-to-face dialogue is our first and most common form of communication, we can use it as a prototype to evaluate other forms of communication. Three features are fully present only in face-to-face dialogue: unrestricted verbal expression, meaningful non-verbal acts such as gestures and facial displays, and instantaneous collaboration between speaker and listener.

Communications technology is impressive and useful. But when it comes to effectiveness, technical innovations are no substitute for face-to-face communication -- nor should they replace "old-fashioned values" such as honesty and candor.
Technology has changed our world. E-mail, cell phones, instant messaging, voice mail, pagers and faxes have made worldwide communication easy, convenient and fast.

Yet, we have also lost something with the application of these technologies (Peter, 2002). We have less and less need to come face-to-face with individuals with whom we need or want to communicate. As a result, a subtle but important aspect of communication is lost—the non-verbal element. Body language, facial expressions and voice inflections are but a few of the intricacies which personalize our communication.
Taking the time to seek out and speak to someone is, in itself, a statement—a declaration that the person to whom you are speaking is important and that whatever you are discussing is of interest and value. It is during this personal dialogue that non-verbal means of expression add the emotion and attitude to complete and personalize the communication (Peter, 2002). Yes, we will continue to expand our use of new tools to link us to one another, but let us not lose that very special ability that personal dialogue gives us to "feel" what another person is saying.

For most companies, the business environment has changed dramatically during the last years. At the same time, the development of information and communication technologies has been very rapid...................

ESSAYS ON TECHNOLOGY