We hear about dead languages like Latin all the time. Yet, we still study the language in hopes to preserve the history and the past. Languages are not the only parts of society that can die throughout progression. Technology can be a big factor in the loss of "old habits." The unfortunate truth among our generation is that we tend to live through our phones. We can text, call and look through our friends photos without putting in any effort at all. This may seem extremely convenient and progressive at first, but there is actually a gigantic gap within communication which is lost.
Before the iPhone, or any phone in general, people used to write handwritten letters to each other. There was not only just spam and packages from Amazon in the mail box. With this form of communication came genuine conversation and well thought out ideas. With a letter, one could not send it to multiple people without rewriting the letter itself. No, there were no group messages when sending mail in an envelope. Sending a general message out to multiple people may seem convenient, but it takes away from the connections one gains from direct interactions. Due to the fact that sending a letter requires getting across all the information at once, there is no miscommunication. We see in today's world that many of the problems stem from a misunderstanding. I believe that this is because as a generation, we tend to lack the idea of "thinking before we speak." Sending a message to someone and not getting an immediate response requires the person to proof read what they are saying. There is also a danger that comes with being able to call someone out at the touch of a screen. Wiriting gives a person time to calm down and think the situation through, which would avoid that "nasty breakup" with your ex. Honestly, if we all just sent each other snail mail the world would have a lot less problems.
On the more sentimental side of things, a letter is just more meaningful. No, I am not only talking about those love letters you get from Romeo. Even a small postcard from a friend can make your day. With college students especially, receiving a letter from your family back home or a friend at a different college is the best felling. Going abroad? What better way to stay in contact with friends and family back home than send a post card from all the places you travel. Writing requires a lot more than just typing on a keyboard or sending your face with a dog filter on snap chat. The reader knows that it took time, energy and thought.
We are submerged in a society where being fake vs. being genuine is hard to differentiate. When someone thinks enough about you to sit down and write you a letter, I am sure they are not fake. Sending someone a text message has less meaning than waving to someone on the street. If written communication becomes an ancient concept, there will be a loss of depth in human interaction that technology can never fill. So, next time you miss your friend or genuinely care about someone, send them a well written letter and it will mean just that much more to them.
