Recently, while driving my 12-year-old daughter, Mia, to what felt like her hundredth dance class of the day, I was leaving a voicemail for a friend. “Hey, it’s Jamie. Just saw your email. Call me.” Short and to the point, right?
From the backseat, Mia bursts into laughter. “What’s so funny?” I glance in the rearview mirror, only to find her focused on her phone, likely engaged in a group chat with her friends or watching the latest viral video. “Ugh, Mom!” she exclaims, finally glancing up. “Only old people use email!”
And just like that, I’m reminded of the generational shift in communication preferences. I vividly recall when I first got my email account back in 1995. I had just graduated and started as an editor at a magazine. Email was revolutionary; we used it to connect with colleagues, share jokes, and discuss our favorite TV shows. It felt vital, and if your workplace didn’t have it, you were missing out.
Fast forward to today, and my inbox is overflowing with over 10,000 unread messages—spam, newsletters, and notifications I never signed up for. Sifting through this clutter is a daily chore I’ve come to dread. As John Brandon noted in a recent Inc. article, the decline of email as a primary communication tool is imminent. He suggests that alternatives like text messaging, social media platforms, and instant messaging are becoming more prevalent.
Even in the workplace, companies are adopting more streamlined communication methods, such as Slack and Campfire. Are we clinging to email simply because we were its early adopters? Is it a reflection of our reluctance to adapt as we grow older?
When my children were born, I eagerly secured Gmail accounts for them using their first and middle names, thinking I was being savvy. Now, I wonder if they’ll ever find a need for them. With the rise of platforms like Snapchat and Facebook Messenger, will email become obsolete for future generations?
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In summary, as communication evolves, so do the preferences of the younger generations. Email, once a staple, may soon be relegated to the past as newer, more efficient methods take center stage.