Help me out here...

[Ronin13]

Fact is electronic media (e-mail, forums, etc) are the **worst** possible means of communication thus far invented. I sure we'll come up with something more horrific, but I probably won't live that long.

Could you please explain your reasoning for saying that? Electronic media has made 3 of my last 4 jobs possible (one was security so didn't really matter there).

[Zundfolge]

How about this... make it a requirement to show a valid ID to vote. Done! You're welcome.

[Random]

Could you please explain your reasoning for saying that? Electronic media has made 3 of my last 4 jobs possible (one was security so didn't really matter there).

<offtopic>
A guy named Albert Mehrabain came up with some astonishing theories about communication way back in the 1960s. His finding were, more or less, that 7% of communication is the words, 38% is how the words are spoken (inflection, etc), and 55% is body language. You could, successfully, I suspect, argue that a written letter is no better or worse than electronic communication given you have just the words, or 7% of the meaning, on paper. What electronics have done for us are make "letters" easier, more convenient and removed actual language frm d pic. I've actually seen resumes written in text message shorthand...scary thought. When you read a forum you get the words "Let's mess with the 26th amendment" and not the deadpan delivery, straight face with the slight curl of the lips to indicate humor, stance, etc, etc, etc. A telephone conversation gives you 45%, face to face and you get the whole conversation. If you look at the real troll on the internet, hiding behind the theoretical anonymity provided by screens and wires, you see behavior that is more and more showing up in face to face encounters. Familiarity breeds contempt.
<irony>
This is not to say electronic communication isn't a valuable tool, we just need better email control legislation. If we can save ONE CHILD we have to try...
</irony>
</offtopic>

<edit>
Oh, BABY! See above. What is the diffrence between an animated gif of a kid saying "That's RACIST" and seeing the words???
</edit>

[Ronin13]

<offtopic>
A guy named Albert Mehrabain came up with some astonishing theories about communication way back in the 1960s. His finding were, more or less, that 7% of communication is the words, 38% is how the words are spoken (inflection, etc), and 55% is body language. You could, successfully, I suspect, argue that a written letter is no better or worse than electronic communication given you have just the words, or 7% of the meaning, on paper. What electronics have done for us are make "letters" easier, more convenient and removed actual language frm d pic. I've actually seen resumes written in text message shorthand...scary thought. When you read a forum you get the words "Let's mess with the 26th amendment" and not the deadpan delivery, straight face with the slight curl of the lips to indicate humor, stance, etc, etc, etc. A telephone conversation gives you 45%, face to face and you get the whole conversation. If you look at the real troll on the internet, hiding behind the theoretical anonymity provided by screens and wires, you see behavior that is more and more showing up in face to face encounters. Familiarity breeds contempt.
<irony>
This is not to say electronic communication isn't a valuable tool, we just need better email control legislation. If we can save ONE CHILD we have to try...
</irony>
</offtopic>

<edit>
Oh, BABY! See above. What is the diffrence between an animated gif of a kid saying "That's RACIST" and seeing the words???
</edit>

Ah, okay, I see... Put that way, yes I agree, communication, in the familiar and common "pre-internet age" context is dying.