In regards to modern computer technology, email is a powerful tool. Since its beginnings in the 1960’s email has become a staple of internet communication. It provides numerous benefits in comparison to other forms of communication. However, on the contrary an argument exists that email as a form of effectively communicating is becoming redundant. The ever increasing amount of SPAM and constant barrage of security issues such as Trojans and Phishing has led many critics to label email as a dying trend. In addition to the security issues, other forms of web-based communications are further increasing in capabilities and popularity; thus limiting the value of email. Although its problems have tainted its reputation, the question still remains, is email dead?
When one considers if email is ‘dead’, one must understand the positive and negative aspects of it. Email is considered one of the best examples of ‘space-time compression as it brings distant locations into the reach of anyone (Lister 2003, p18). In addition email allows users a better form of communication in comparison to the letter or the postal service. Furthermore emails can be sent to multiple recipients, sent with attachments and be edited countless times.
That being said, email is not without its problems. As mentioned before, SPAM and security bugs have heavily played a part in the email is dead argument. Approximately 100 billion SPAM messages are sent via email each day. It should also be noted that approximately 85% of all email traffic is SPAM.
Although the positives appear to outweigh the negative aspects, one must consider how difficult and frustrating it can be for users to check an email account overloaded with SPAM. “I recently received an invitation to the 2004 international dance competition in
When one considers the frustration and lack of productivity in regards to emails, one must consider that it is human nature to find alternatives. Effective alternatives include IM’s, social websites such as Myspace, Weblogs and even internet phone systems such as Skype. When considering and comparing email to these alternatives, it is easy to see why the question of email dying out exists. Each of these alternatives plays on emails faults. Although email transmission is instant, that does not mean the reply will be. It may take weeks to receive a reply via email. However IM responses are almost guaranteed instant, depending on how fast the other person can type.
Furthermore, email provides a very basic social setting in comparison to social websites or Weblogs; it simply cannot compete with adding friends or widgets or commenting on photos or using RSS feeds.
Although these alternatives have some points over email, it remains to be seen if they can displace email. “Thanks to the channels opened by email, loved ones seem to be within restorable reach” (Bakardjieva 2005, p129), this is the core of email, to keep in touch. But that core is simply what email is good for, keeping in touch. It provides little to no amusement or entertainment to today’s society. That being said, email still has its uses in the business world, however it is seemingly more apparent that email will be for business use only.
All of these positives, negatives and alternatives all lead back to the main question, is email dead? Both sides of the argument have compelling facts; however the answer is still not definite. It would appear that email is a part of an evolutionary phase. It can be deduced that email is a part of the ‘old’ internet, web ‘1.0’. The aforementioned alternatives can be labeled as being a part of ‘web 2.0’. In this regard, email is ‘dying’. As the users of the internet begin to move away from certain mediums, it is conceivable that email will die out. The alternatives have essentially provided email with its exit, by phasing or evolving email into obscurity. That being said, email will still hold some value. A good analogy to relate to email is the usage of Digital TV in regards to analogue (Lister 2003, p18). Digital TV delivers the same message as normal TV, with more features and extensions. The analogy is that email represents normal TV and the alternatives represent Digital TV.
Another point to consider is that email is like real mail in the sense that it cannot be replaced, it has become a ‘staples’ communication. There will always be a need for it; however there may not always be a desire for it.
It is uncanny to think that 12 years ago, people thought that: '…mass media will be redefined by systems for transmitting and receiving personalized information and entertainment' (Negroponte 1995 6-7 P27). It is amazing to think that this quote applies to the advent of email, and its alternatives/replacements. As the web and its components continue to evolve, one must consider the future of email. Previously it was the most important communication tool in regards to modern times. However in today’s society, it is simply another means of communicating. It would be unwise to think that email will disappear completely, however it is seemingly losing place in all aspects. Businesses and users alike are fed up with its SPAM issues, people are moving to other sources of social interaction and email has possibly reached as far as it can be evolved. The most likely case scenario for email is that it will simply be supplemented with other forms of internet communication. However it would appear that email is not dead, but dying.
References
Bakardjieva, Maria 2005, Internet Society: the internet in everyday life, Sage publications,
Burnett, Robert & P David Marshall 2003, Web theory: an introduction, Routledge, New York.(Negroponte reference).
Jones, Steven G 1998, Cybersocity 2.0, Sage Publications,
Lister, Martin, et al 2003, New Media: A Critical introduction, Routledge,
Nunes, Mark 2006, Cyberspaces of everyday life,
Bibliography
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