The Effects of Faster Cheaper Communication can be hard to notice (and also challenging to handle when we recognize them). The cost of communication has steadily fallen since humans showed up all those years ago. The pace of decline has accelerated as computing power and network speeds continue their exponential growth. While the price has declined the speed with which we can issue communication has gone the other direction. It is faster than we could have imagined at the turn of the 21st century. What does this mean for our quality of life?
Though we may not think of them often the positives effects of faster cheaper communication are significant. Worker productivity in almost every profession has gone up drastically. We can sign and send documents and images at negligible cost. This raises everyone’s standard of living. Our ability to feel connected to people across the miles has been transformed. Rather than the infrequent letter and occasional expensive telephone call, we can enjoy the high fidelity of a video call with excellent audio. What’s not to like?
Because of its low cost and lightning-fast velocity, the volume of communication has grown to epic amounts, requiring us to spend a fair amount of time sorting and prioritizing it (not to speak of actually reading or looking at it), and eventually taking useful action on a very small percentage of it. Another important challenge is determining the accuracy of it. The speed and efficiency with which we can send and receive information can sometimes cause us to miss or overlook defects or even outright falsehoods. The results of this “information overload” can range from a vague feeling of doubt to high stress, misunderstanding, and ultimately bad outcomes that can occur from poor decisions made with inaccurate information.
What to do?
We can take better control of the information we send and receive by spending more time contemplating what to actually read and what to send. As with many things in life, less volume and higher quality is a recipe for optimal enjoyment and meaning.
Jeff Linroth
17 replies on “The Effects of Faster and Cheaper Communication”
Faster, cheaper…and Better communication!
Cheap and fast has a cost.
If a message is nothing more than a simple, bald statement of event or fact (“Have arrived, at door.”) then our faster, cheaper forms of communications cost little in the moment, but may have deleterious second level effects.
Fast, cheap communications obviate the need, and therefore the benefit of thoughtful and more intentional planning and communication. What is lost is thoughtful foresight; a due consideration to the fullness of concern that is owed to a loved one.
Spontaneity has its charms, but cannot replace the depth and breadth of care shown by someone taking an extended period of time to more deeply and completely consider the good of the other.
Too, there is a loss of rational thought. The ability to reply instantly to any message means that our first impulse arises out of the passions, not from a place of slow paced, reasoned, deeply and carefully considered rational analysis.
Instant communications, in other words, gives rise to a reply that exhibits our shallowest and least temperate reaction.
Speak for yourself, many of us have the ability to instantly grasp a concept and make a full assessment. Maybe it’s an age thing?
Thanks for your writings Jeff Linroth!
Speak for yourself, many of us have fast working brains that can do all that you are saying, in a split second. Maybe it’s an age thing?
Nice article Jeff Linroth
I really like your style of writing Jeff Linroth!
Thank you for the kind words Fred.
Instant communication can cultivate instant creativity …if you are sharp!
It favors those who can think critically quickly. Jeff Linroth
Thanks for your words Jeff Linroth!
I’m looking forward to even cheaper and fast communication as we speed towards the future.
Better, faster, cheaper
It’s not only for NASA anymore
It’s for over 7 billion people! Let them eat bandwidth!!
Jeff Linroth
It has changed a number of businesses for good. Although some people still enjoy going to the theater, many have created theaters in their own homes. Ever-larger files can now be shared in the cloud instead of being printed or stored in mobile media and being sent across the miles via surface transport
Your writing style makes complex topics seem simple. Thanks!
I just wanted to express my gratitude for the valuable insight on communication. It’s more important than ever that we try to be respectful with it. It’s easy to take shortcuts with our fast and “efficient” modes of “conversation”. More is the pity when the results are poor…or even damaging instead of “high-fidelity” that happens face-to-face.
Sincerely,
Tee d.
Like any powerful tool, fast and cheap communication gives leverage to both helpful and unhelpful deeds. Jeff I really appreciate you bringing this important truth to my attention again. Let’s regulate ourselves in our communication to maximize the contributions it can make. Best, JC
Cheaper and faster ovbviously is not always better! “Garbage in garbage out” is more relevant than ever. Rafa