Letter Writing

In the world of email and the Internet, and of new social media, the power of an instagram, or a tweet, or a text, or even email is slowly diluted. We are awash in a sea of email and electronic messaging. Telegrams are from another age and FAXes never had much power even at their outset.

Some suggest picking up the phone. That was always bad for the shy, but operated well enough for the past century. Face to face is always good, though sometimes terrible for the shy, but it limits those you can interact with.

There is another way that has been largely forgotten… the written word on paper. Let us not go so far as long hand, though there is an art to a handwritten letter that can touch one deeply. Let us accept printers and word processors.

A mailed letter has an immediate impact which has in fact grown in a world of communicated bits. A letter starts with the scuff marks on the envelope, giving a real sense of travel. One interacts with the envelope in a tactile way, taking possession of the message by opening and unfolding the missive. There can be smells and sensations associated with the paper. There can be joy at the letterhead and the signature, and at PS notes at the bottom.

Enough. It is the same argument people make over books versus ebooks, and about theatre, and screened movies (and even DVDs) over digitally delivered content.

Note to self:  Write some letters.