While technology hasn't altered what things we deem necessary to communicate on a daily basis, it has altered our approach to preservation. We frequently go through our inboxes and delete emails, keeping only that which is really important or "worth saving." And very often, even all "important" email has an expiration date on its importance. When it comes to paper however, we seem to have a much harder time letting go. The human as pack rat urge seems to sneak in wherever paper is concerned. While we easily delete that "happy birthday" email, God forbid we throw out that birthday card. It seems that we feel things written on paper have more meaning, and associate more emotionally with them. I think this is because we can have a physical connection with paper, which makes for a more intimate experience. I also think that particularly now, when the bulk of communication is digital, we find greater meaning in paper communication because of the effort and care someone must have taken to actually bother to buy a card, pick up a pen, write something down, go to the trouble to mail it, buy stamps, etc. In the digital age, there is somehow something extra special and evocative about paper communication. It's exciting when someone goes to all that effort to communicate with you - the fact that they were willing to forgo convenience for you, means they must really care.
It leads to a particularly amusing perspective on modern romance and affection. Gone are the days of chivalry - love letters have been replaced by emails, and courtship is most easily done via text message, which allows us to avoid all those pesky obligations like showering, getting dressed up, and making eye contact. As a result, we react very strongly to getting an actual letter, card, or even a phone call - anything that requires more time and effort than typing a few characters while Lost is on commercial. In the digital age, it seems we have come to define romance and ultimate sacrifice as convenience.
No comments:
Post a Comment