Have We Lost the Art of Communication? I Say No!

Once upon a time, communication consisted of talking to one another in person, over the phone, or through letters in the mail. Now almost a century later, communication has drastically changed into something different yet exciting. With sites like Facebook and Myspace, video chatting sites like Skype, and the use of email, people are able to talk to each other in a new kind of fashion. Many people believe that this is a sign that we are losing our communication skills, but I tend to disagree with them.

Social Networking sites, video chatting sites, and emailing opens up a new way of talking to people. The art of being able to send a message, pictures, or even videos in a matter of seconds gives everyone the ability to keep in touch with friends who might be down the street or even oceans apart. Even though this may not mean communicating in person - you still learn valuable social skills. You have complete control of who you can and cannot talk to, the ability to make new friends, and the ability to find long-lost friends. Whether it be a high school sweetheart or your college roommate, the internet opens up a barrier for people to find their buddies that may have been lost in the sands of time.

Another concept that people believe is dying a slow and painful death, is the art of hand-writing personal letters. I believe that this is not completely lost, but has grown into something completely new. Letters may not all be hand written nowadays. With programs like Word, you still learn how to format letters, and write clear and coherent sentences. Even writing emails and instant messaging on Facebook can teach you these valuable lessons. Texting terms like 'LOL' or 'BRB' may not be proper grammar, but each generation has had their own ways of communicating with their friends and this does not pose a threat to communication.

So should we be worried that communication skills are dying in this generation? I believe not. They have just grown and evolved into something everyone can use and enjoy to this day. We shouldn't be worried about this, but instead be excited for what the future of communication holds in store for us. Over the past century we have gone to writing letters by hand that can take weeks for the receipient to receive, to the wonders of the world wide web, where messages reach their destination in a matter of mere seconds. Every generation has learned to communicate in a totally different way, and even though this particular generation may be communicating through small screens sitting on a desk or on a cell phone, does not mean we have lost the art of communication. It is just growing into something bigger and better for the rest of humanity. Who knows what the future has in store for communication next? Maybe 'Star Wars' like holograms that can be sent or even the use of teleporters. This may sound a bit too science fiction, but who knows? I, myself, can't wait to see what will happen in the coming years.