Is Voice No Longer the Preferred Means of Communication?
Source: smithonvoip.com
Voice: The Interrupter
The last two nights I have had the rare opportunity to spend some quality time with my friends from high school and college. While most of our conversations came no where near the topic of VoIP or even voice, the one thing that was clear is that voice (in it’s various forms) was no longer the preferred means of communication amongst our group.
Within our group we had a soon to be doctor, a few lawyers, an account, sales professionals, and even some who have yet to move pass their warehouse position. Although we all have different jobs, in different industries, with different titles and overall life goals, not once did I hear I will give you a call. What I heard was I will send you an email or I will text you; let’s chat via MySpace or add me on Facebook. Picking up the phone as simple as it may be, was just not in the cards.
Maybe It Is Just Our Generation?
Yes, all of us were under 30, but more importantly, I believe that advances in technology and the emergence of the Internet has made voice calling an interruption to our lives. I have come to the conclusion that my generation, and the ones that will follow after us desire to communicate by their preferred method “on their time”, not others. You see when you make a call to someone, without setting an appointment, you are interrupting them. A phone call although sometimes pleasant, is more often then not annoying and for many wastes more time than communicating in other forms, such as email, SMS, or even through a social network. Yes these other forms of communication are less personal, but if you already know this person, does it matter?
I do not think “voice is dead” but I do think it is dying as the preferred method of communication among my generation and those that will follow. What do you think? Is voice still your preferred means of communication?
