The New Letter Writing

The New Letter Writing

When Alexander Graham Bell made the world's first phone call in 1876, he could not have imagined that one day it would be common, and perhaps even considered a necessity, to carry a phone in one's purse or pocket at all times. Although the date of the first letter ever written has been lost to history, it's not hard to draw a similar comparison to the inventor of the letter. Could he or she have imagined how his or her humble invention would influence the world? In the thousands of years since its creation, the letter has brought the reader immeasurable joy and sorrow and until 150 years ago, it was the only form of personal communication via written word. With the invention of the telegraph, a new manner of communicating was made available, but it did not replace the letter as the primary way of long distance conversation. However that changed in 1972 with the invention of electronic mail, or email. Although initially limited to military and businesses, the spread of home internet access brought this instant and convenient form of communication to the general public. It wasn't long before the traditional letter suffered the same fate as Betamax and the cassette tape. The tradition of letter writing has diminished with the innovation of email and social networking.

According to the United States Postal Service, "Mail volume dropped to 203 billion parcels in fiscal year 2008 from its peak of 213 billion in 2006. That was its last year of profit, when income totaled $900 million. Volume is expected to drop by more than 20 billion pieces [in 2009], followed by a further drop of 10 billion" in 2010 (Smith). For the ever-increasing pace of life in today's society, waiting two or three days for a message is unacceptable. Email has made it possible to exchange information in minutes and without the added cost of postage. Additionally, with the advancement of social networks such as Facebook, letter writing is increasingly seen as old fashioned and antiquated. There is less need to go to Hallmark and buy a card if one can post a birthday or holiday wish on someone's Facebook "wall". In fact, Hallmark has seen an 8% drop in revenue and has also had to lay off several hundred employees (Fisher, Stafford). As the nation's economic health remains questionable, consumers will be continuing to look for ways to save money whenever possible. Sending n message through email or social network at no cost will continue to be an attractive alternative to letter writing and postal mail, even with its modest cost.

Of course for every detractor of email and social networking, there is the supporter ready to point out how these innovations have added convenience to our lives. Whereas we once had to wait days or weeks after an event to even learn of its existence, we can now share news with our family and friends immediately after it happens. A quick update to the relationship status field on Facebook can alert others to an impending or new marriage. Women tweet while giving birth (Obert). Although the method of delivery has changed, the impact of a grateful thank you message or an apologetic letter can be just as heartfelt on the part of the writer, and just as appreciated by the recipient. The collection of six word autobiographies in “Not Quite What I was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure” shows how the power of the written word can still be moving, even when limited in its quantity. "Thank God the suicide attempt failed" was one of the memoirs included in the book (Miller 662). Undoubtedly others have written books using a hundred pages to express the same thankfulness that Miller did in six words. Similarly, the recipient of a postcard would feel just as excited to hear of their loved one’s vacation travel in a few sentences as they would to read a lengthy letter detailing each adventure on their itinerary.

With the spread of email and social networking as forms of communication, letter writing has seen a decrease in usage. Some would argue that with every new technological innovation, cultural traditions see a period of challenge and adaptation but not necessarily an end. Whereas families once gathered for an evening around the radio for entertainment, the television now provides the source of entertainment. The radio is still a supplier of news, music, and amusement but has found new life in the automobile instead of residing fireside. The tradition of letter writing might find itself in a similar position as interpersonal communications evolve. Even if it does not retain its position as the foremost way of communication, it is hard to imagine a time in the future without heartfelt words lovingly written on beautiful stationary.