What Wires Will Never Replace

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I’m as plugged in as anyone. I’m what you’d call a power user; gadget laden and tethered to my laptop more than most people should rightfully be. I’m immersed in the online world, which means that I’m as passionate about its possibilities as anyone.

But there are some things that no wires – no matter how social they are – will ever replace.

Pen and Paper

Writing is an act of patience. Writing is more time consuming than typing for most, and there’s something intensely personal about seeing someone’s handwriting on paper as an alphabetical slice of their personality.  Writing is incredibly human, as you see the scribbles through words that just weren’t quite right, or an overzealously crossed ‘t’.

There’s still a use for a scratch pad next to your desk, a thank you note to a friend or colleague, a whiteboard even to do a big brain purge.

Personal Contact

An email or a tweet will never replace eye contact and a handshake. ((((Parentheses)))) will still never replace a hug for someone on a down day. And there’s still no substitute for sitting down and sharing a drink or a meal with someone. Conferences are successful because business still gets done in hallways, on the golf course, and across dinner tables. And social media has become, on a large scale, about facilitating that personal contact.

The Human Voice

The ability of the human voice to carry subtlety and inflection is what will forever make a phone call more personal than an email or a tweet, no matter how close that friend may be. Voices can convey what the mere words cannot, and tone is everything. And there’s nothing quite like putting a face and a voice to a name you’ve only ever seen in pixels. It’s instantly and profoundly humanizing, and will forever bring that person to life on your computer in a new way.

For as much as I am an advocate of the power of connecting and humanizing people online, I hope businesses never lose sight of the things that can’t ever be replaced through a computer screen. The tools are the gateway, but the most human elements of people – and the most enduring connections – will be found offline.

Image credit: tanakawho via Flickr Creative Commons

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  • http://intrepid-llc.com Todd Schnick

    Well said, Amber. I have signed many clients – simply because I have sent a personal, handwritten note as a follow-up to a meeting. Sadly, sending such notes nowadays acts as a differentiator…

    Todd Schnicks last blog post..Classic Post: How To Be Creative

  • http://intrepid-llc.com Todd Schnick

    Well said, Amber. I have signed many clients – simply because I have sent a personal, handwritten note as a follow-up to a meeting. Sadly, sending such notes nowadays acts as a differentiator…

    Todd Schnicks last blog post..Classic Post: How To Be Creative

  • http://dannybrown.me Danny Brown

    You can’t see into the eyes of a Twitter profile or hear the sincerity from a Friendfeed conversation…

    Great points and here’s hoping that many people read this and take notice :)

    Danny Browns last blog post..Journeys Into Greatness

  • http://dannybrown.me Danny Brown

    You can’t see into the eyes of a Twitter profile or hear the sincerity from a Friendfeed conversation…

    Great points and here’s hoping that many people read this and take notice :)

    Danny Browns last blog post..Journeys Into Greatness

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  • http://www.acclimedia.com Gennefer Snowfield

    Like you, Amber, I am about as wired as any person can be, and am absolutely enthralled with the possibilities that the web offers. But I also struggle with the human factor, and would love to see the evolution of the space facilitate those offline interactions that connect us on the most important — and meaningful — levels.

    As you said, it’s a gateway. It should not be where your communications solely reside, and to have it be so, may actually begin to detract from our human-ness, turning us into pithy, 140-character spewing cyborgs who are no longer able to engage in substantive, real life conversations.

    There is no doubt that the web is advancing us cognitively by leaps and bounds, but will our Intelligence Quotient drastically surpass our Emotional Quotient as a result? I believe that the most valuable organ is the heart — not the brain — so I think it’s important to unplug as often as possible to bridge the online and offline worlds, where an actual hug can help a bad day melt away far better than any combination of punctuated pixels or emoticons ever could.

    Until then, I’ll be carrying around my trusty Moleskine, along with my Blackberry and handwriting my TO DO lists. To me, there’s such a satisfying sense of accomplishment in crossing off a task in ink. And nothing could ever replace a brighly colored envelope peeking through your mailbox that holds a handwritten card from a loved one.

    Thank you for sharing, Amber, and you are proof that the Internet can spark significant relationships, and yours is one that I value greatly. Happy Holidays!

  • http://www.acclimedia.com Gennefer Snowfield

    Like you, Amber, I am about as wired as any person can be, and am absolutely enthralled with the possibilities that the web offers. But I also struggle with the human factor, and would love to see the evolution of the space facilitate those offline interactions that connect us on the most important — and meaningful — levels.

    As you said, it’s a gateway. It should not be where your communications solely reside, and to have it be so, may actually begin to detract from our human-ness, turning us into pithy, 140-character spewing cyborgs who are no longer able to engage in substantive, real life conversations.

    There is no doubt that the web is advancing us cognitively by leaps and bounds, but will our Intelligence Quotient drastically surpass our Emotional Quotient as a result? I believe that the most valuable organ is the heart — not the brain — so I think it’s important to unplug as often as possible to bridge the online and offline worlds, where an actual hug can help a bad day melt away far better than any combination of punctuated pixels or emoticons ever could.

    Until then, I’ll be carrying around my trusty Moleskine, along with my Blackberry and handwriting my TO DO lists. To me, there’s such a satisfying sense of accomplishment in crossing off a task in ink. And nothing could ever replace a brighly colored envelope peeking through your mailbox that holds a handwritten card from a loved one.

    Thank you for sharing, Amber, and you are proof that the Internet can spark significant relationships, and yours is one that I value greatly. Happy Holidays!

  • http://ariwriter.com Ari Herzog

    In the late 1990s, I took a college algebra test ON THE COMPUTER. I saw my score instantaneously.

    I don’t know how quizzes are conducted in elementary schools today, but I’m curious to what extent teachers are red inking answers vs using computers to grade.

    Ari Herzogs last blog post..Branding the Los Angeles Times on Twitter

  • http://ariwriter.com Ari Herzog

    In the late 1990s, I took a college algebra test ON THE COMPUTER. I saw my score instantaneously.

    I don’t know how quizzes are conducted in elementary schools today, but I’m curious to what extent teachers are red inking answers vs using computers to grade.

    Ari Herzogs last blog post..Branding the Los Angeles Times on Twitter

  • http://www.stacylukas.com Stacy Lukas

    I was just having a conversation about this kind of stuff with my boyfriend yesterday and said I was going to write a blog post about it. OK, not exactly the angle that you took but more about the whole “pen & paper” thing. I have the worst handwriting a woman could possibly have and I count my blessings that I can type faster than any human I’ve ever encountered, but there’s no doubt in my mind that my handwriting that’s “worse than a guy’s” has been held against me.

    I’ll ping this when I post it.

    I do agree with you, though … no matter how techy we are, there’s no REAL substitute for a hug, a phone call from an old friend, or a birthday card from a relative you didn’t know you had that decided to send you $100.

    Somewhere in here is an AT&T commercial.

    Stacy Lukass last blog post..People like this guy need to be called out.

  • http://www.stacylukas.com Stacy Lukas

    I was just having a conversation about this kind of stuff with my boyfriend yesterday and said I was going to write a blog post about it. OK, not exactly the angle that you took but more about the whole “pen & paper” thing. I have the worst handwriting a woman could possibly have and I count my blessings that I can type faster than any human I’ve ever encountered, but there’s no doubt in my mind that my handwriting that’s “worse than a guy’s” has been held against me.

    I’ll ping this when I post it.

    I do agree with you, though … no matter how techy we are, there’s no REAL substitute for a hug, a phone call from an old friend, or a birthday card from a relative you didn’t know you had that decided to send you $100.

    Somewhere in here is an AT&T commercial.

    Stacy Lukass last blog post..People like this guy need to be called out.

  • http://cfcl.com/vlb Vicki

    I agree… to a point. I carry a paper notebook to meetings, not a laptop, and I take verbatim notes. I have scratchpaper near the bed. But I’ve found that, for longer things, if I’m writing and thinking of what to say… I need a keyboard. Oddly, at the middle speed, my hand cramps.

    I agree a phone call is nice from hubby when he’s out of town and I’ll call my parents on Christmas, But I prefer a letter (typed is fine) for “recent news” because I can read it on my time and it’s wonderful that my Mom nowuses eail. She can write a long letter to both daughters.

    At work, I never use the phone. Email and IM make sure the conversation (and the information in it) are documented.

    I have a PalOS handheld for notetaking and I write on it. My primary peeve with the iPhone is lack of handwriting recognition. How weird is that?

    So, I guess what I’m saying is, it’s definitely not Either/Or. And I’m so happy we have choices.

  • http://cfcl.com/vlb Vicki

    I agree… to a point. I carry a paper notebook to meetings, not a laptop, and I take verbatim notes. I have scratchpaper near the bed. But I’ve found that, for longer things, if I’m writing and thinking of what to say… I need a keyboard. Oddly, at the middle speed, my hand cramps.

    I agree a phone call is nice from hubby when he’s out of town and I’ll call my parents on Christmas, But I prefer a letter (typed is fine) for “recent news” because I can read it on my time and it’s wonderful that my Mom nowuses eail. She can write a long letter to both daughters.

    At work, I never use the phone. Email and IM make sure the conversation (and the information in it) are documented.

    I have a PalOS handheld for notetaking and I write on it. My primary peeve with the iPhone is lack of handwriting recognition. How weird is that?

    So, I guess what I’m saying is, it’s definitely not Either/Or. And I’m so happy we have choices.

  • http://www.biketoworkbarb.blogspot.com Barb Chamberlain

    A great list. I’m a die-hard notetaker and have notebooks going back 5 years or more for my work notes. The older I get–and I’m not that old–the more I rely on writing things down to make sure I’ve captured them, and that was always how I internalized my courses in college.

    At a presentation on generational differences in the workplace, the speaker said notetaking was typical of Baby Boomers. I dutifully wrote this down…. :D

    I hope younger generations don’t lose the value of the handwritten note, and I herewith vow to write more of them.

    @BarbChamberlain

    Barb Chamberlains last blog post..Snow Day

  • http://www.biketoworkbarb.blogspot.com Barb Chamberlain

    A great list. I’m a die-hard notetaker and have notebooks going back 5 years or more for my work notes. The older I get–and I’m not that old–the more I rely on writing things down to make sure I’ve captured them, and that was always how I internalized my courses in college.

    At a presentation on generational differences in the workplace, the speaker said notetaking was typical of Baby Boomers. I dutifully wrote this down…. :D

    I hope younger generations don’t lose the value of the handwritten note, and I herewith vow to write more of them.

    @BarbChamberlain

    Barb Chamberlains last blog post..Snow Day

  • http://www.budgetpulse.com Craig

    Agree, which is why I don’t think traditional methods will ever go obsolete, and you can’t 100% be truly digital. People need and yearn for human connections, whether a close friend, or an acquaintance they met online. Either way real personal connections will never go away.

  • http://www.budgetpulse.com Craig

    Agree, which is why I don’t think traditional methods will ever go obsolete, and you can’t 100% be truly digital. People need and yearn for human connections, whether a close friend, or an acquaintance they met online. Either way real personal connections will never go away.

  • http://www.serengeticommunications.com/ bethharte

    Thanks for the reminder Amber! Personal touches and interactions are what we shouldn’t forget even though it’s easier to just blurt out in 140 characters.

    I am a note taker too…I can’t make it without my notes (and doodles. Yes, I doodle in meetings — it helps me think).

    Happy holidays to you and your family Amber! 2008 has been wonderful and I am so thankful that I got to spend personal time with you! Here’s to 2009! See you in March.

    Beth Hartes last blog post..Top 25 Ways to Tell if Your Social Media Expert Is a Carpetbagger

  • http://www.theharteofmarketing.com Beth Harte

    Thanks for the reminder Amber! Personal touches and interactions are what we shouldn’t forget even though it’s easier to just blurt out in 140 characters.

    I am a note taker too…I can’t make it without my notes (and doodles. Yes, I doodle in meetings — it helps me think).

    Happy holidays to you and your family Amber! 2008 has been wonderful and I am so thankful that I got to spend personal time with you! Here’s to 2009! See you in March.

    Beth Hartes last blog post..Top 25 Ways to Tell if Your Social Media Expert Is a Carpetbagger

  • http://clintstonebrakerblog.com/ Clint Stonebraker

    What a wonderful post. As a speaker and author who specializes in relationships, it is validating to read this. I love the diversity in how we can connect. I will forever prefer the connection that can only come from real and personal contact. Thank you for writing this.

    Clint Stonebrakers last blog post..I Turned Out O.K.

  • http://clintstonebrakerblog.com/ Clint Stonebraker

    What a wonderful post. As a speaker and author who specializes in relationships, it is validating to read this. I love the diversity in how we can connect. I will forever prefer the connection that can only come from real and personal contact. Thank you for writing this.

    Clint Stonebrakers last blog post..I Turned Out O.K.

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  • http://maximumcustomerexperience.com Kelly

    Amber,

    I’m glad Amy pointed me over here in her Hump Day Reading list. This is a great post. I completely agree. Too many of us spend too much time with a keyboard and not enough time with the humans around us. I do wish sometimes I could actually reach out, and touch, speak to, the people I know online, but the people I know offline are right there wondering why I’m buried in a computer some days!

    Time to go touch somebody. Thanks for this.

    Regards,

    Kelly

    Kellys last blog post..Inspiration Points: Last Minute, Any Minute—All the Shining Gifts

  • http://maximumcustomerexperience.com Kelly

    Amber,

    I’m glad Amy pointed me over here in her Hump Day Reading list. This is a great post. I completely agree. Too many of us spend too much time with a keyboard and not enough time with the humans around us. I do wish sometimes I could actually reach out, and touch, speak to, the people I know online, but the people I know offline are right there wondering why I’m buried in a computer some days!

    Time to go touch somebody. Thanks for this.

    Regards,

    Kelly

    Kellys last blog post..Inspiration Points: Last Minute, Any Minute—All the Shining Gifts

  • http://PreciseEdit.com Precise Edit

    We live by our white board. We use it to think through timelines, processes, and content for upcoming training sessions. We use it to brainstorm ideas for our Writing Tips for a Year service and new chapter titles for the Precise Edit Training Manual.

    One of our best uses, however, is for collaborative editing. We project our computer desktop on the whiteboard, which allows everyone to view easily what changes are being made to a document, and we can write on the projected image new ideas or possibilities for improved revisions. This also works great when we conduct writing courses.

  • http://PreciseEdit.com Precise Edit

    We live by our white board. We use it to think through timelines, processes, and content for upcoming training sessions. We use it to brainstorm ideas for our Writing Tips for a Year service and new chapter titles for the Precise Edit Training Manual.

    One of our best uses, however, is for collaborative editing. We project our computer desktop on the whiteboard, which allows everyone to view easily what changes are being made to a document, and we can write on the projected image new ideas or possibilities for improved revisions. This also works great when we conduct writing courses.

  • http://fayza.me Fayza

    Indeed. I especially love handwriting – the intimacy is unmatched by mostly anything else that a human being can create. I know it sounds cheesy, but I really do feel that way about writing.

    Fayzas last blog post..Awesome things? About me? Okay!

  • http://fayza.me Fayza

    Indeed. I especially love handwriting – the intimacy is unmatched by mostly anything else that a human being can create. I know it sounds cheesy, but I really do feel that way about writing.

    Fayzas last blog post..Awesome things? About me? Okay!

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