If you read TechCrunch often, it’s no secret that MG Siegler hates email. Apparently he’s unable to manage his inbox, and dreads doing so when the time comes. I can’t imagine the amount of email he receives, so I’m sure it is quite a daunting task. However, I don’t think killing email is going to fix the problem.
Email has been around for quite some time, and is still the de facto communication platform on the internet, especially in the professional world. It’s multi-platform, simple to create, and fast. I think the problem is that email etiquette has never really been defined.
Sometimes email isn’t the correct communication medium for some things. If you’re trying to communicate a very detailed message that may take a while, a phone call is probably a better idea. To me, emails should be short and to the point. Take a look at the Email Charter, I really like what they’re trying to accomplish with their rules of email.
I think some people think that if they’re email is short, or if they’re slow to respond, that the recipient will think they’re being rude. For me, and I hope for you as well, this is simply not true. I get quite a bit of email, and when I process it, I’d rather not have to read a page long message to get to the point that could’ve been stated in a few sentences without all the detail. (Read more on The 10 Commandments of Email Etiquette)
Looking at this problem from another point of view, what’s going to replace email if we all decide to stop using it? As far as I know, there’s no other cross-platform messaging option out there that offers the simplicity and versatility of email. Even if there is one, is everyone using it like everyone is using email?
Probably not.
Do you think killing email is the only way to overcome our inboxes?
[HT: TechCrunch | Image via Watching the Net & mmpartee]
Chase Livingston
Chase is a student at Clemson University, studying Audio Engineering. He is passionate about using technology in the church effectively, and loves talking and ideating about how to do that. Feel free to reach out!
In my business (software development for government use), email is invaluable. It leaves a trail of what has been spoken about and what has been said. In the event that someone disputes something, we can always go back and look at the emails that have gone back and forth.
That’s a great example of how email is still very relevant. Thanks for posting!
Everyone always complains about having too much email. The thing is, it’s a problem that we all suffer from – none of us are unique.
Yet we hook up our machines, our tablets, and our phones to our inboxes so we’re constantly surrounded with it then we complain about it. That doesn’t make sense.
There are n-number of ways to go about managing your inbox – don’t hook it up to your devices, set aside time to manage the email, setup labels and/or filters, or get a secretary.
Getting rid of email now is no less productive than getting rid of beepers in the 90’s, or the telephone in the 80’s. It’s a matter of management.
Word!
I dont see email going anywhere for a while either…it’s a great tool when managed correctly…the biggest issue is what’s seen in the picture, people don’t know how to manage it well. If people could learn that, it’d be awesome!
Agreed, it’s definitely a management issue on a person’s part, not the tool itself.