At first glance, this statement may sound plausible because except from personal contact, every other forms of communication, including telephones and emails, are indirect ways of communication. But shall we get a conclusion that telephones and email have made communication between people less personal? To answer this question, we should look at the following points:
First, telephone and email are more efficient ways of communication. Telephones and email are becoming more and more important for us today. We use telephones for conversations to our friends and family; we use email to transfer important information and documents, even photo and multi-media files. With a phone, we can order services and make enquires regarding a service without physically present in the place, this will save us so much time and energy. In time of emergencies, when it is impossible for us to physically go to a police station or a hospital, we can simply call 911, a emergency vehicle will come to us in ten minutes. Imagine how hard it will be for us if we do not have access to a telephone under emergency situations.
Second, telephones and email increase the chances that people communicate. Although face-to-face personal contact is more close and intimate than making phone calls or sending emails, we actually do not have much time to visit each other. Furthermore, people have their own private life. Sometimes they do not want to be disturbed by visitors. A phone call or an email message is always the most proper and courteous way to make contact with people, and are not restrained by time or occasions. For example, during the Chinese New Years, more and more people make phone calls to our friends and folks, or send electronic cards through email, wishing them a happy new year, instead of actually travel to their friends’ house to make a visit.
In conclusion, telephones and email are convenient ways to communicate and can actually increase the communication between people. They maybe less personal, but they are surely more effective means of communication.
Since the beginning of humankind people need to communicate with each other. After the development of languages and thanks to the incredible ability of mankind to advance, nowadays we enjoy the use of many different types of communication. Letters, the Internet, or telephone allows us to communicate freely with the rest of the world.
In spite of above mentioned, I agree with the statement that new types of communications have made contacts between people less personal.
Unfortunately, the technology age we live in forces us to adopt the contemporary way of communication, which is almost impersonal. While hurrying to work more and more, chasing our aims, or focusing only on money making, practically we have forgotten that one of our primary social needs is to communicate face-to-face. To save time we often prefer to send an email or to make a phone call than to have a simple face-to-face talk with our friends or parents, for example.
Furthermore, those types of impersonal communications will sooner or later place us into isolation. Nowadays, we are often afraid to make new acquaintances; we have troubles to express ourselves when we communicate face-to-face; or we experience difficulties to hold an informal conversation. What is more, we find much easier to communicate with other people by email and phone.
Not only do we forget about our simple role as social members but we also do not enjoy it as we did before. Modern technology has made connections between people so impersonal that we are at the threshold of a new single world culture. This fact gives the answer to the question why so many people of our generation are victims of the illness called loneliness.
Although telephones and the Internet have made contacts between people much more easily, our virtual friends will remain virtual and a simple call will not substitute the hours we can spend with our families. Therefore, I truly believe that nothing can replace personal, face-to-face communication between people.
