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Interview with a Writer~Ben Greenman~Why email is the enemy  email this discussion to a friend?

myLot reputation of 98/100. OceanTiara (6977) 3 years ago

DT: The copy for “Correspondences” says that it “provides a bittersweet glimpse at the lost art of letter-writing.” Do you actually remember letter-writing personally?
BG: I remember it very clearly. The bittersweet part for me is how e-mail has, on the one hand, made it so easy, and, on the other hand, ruined it. E-mail is an enemy we have to make peace with, but it is really the enemy, because there aren’t drafts anymore. There’s no waiting.
The test that I always like to do is to think of old ’60s or ’70s soul songs. Often there are scenes where a guy has sent a letter or is waiting for a letter. And I like to imagine how much time actually passed. Let’s say you’re in a Sam Cooke song, and somebody wrote you a letter and said they’re coming back. What’s the timeframe in that song? I think it’s just nothing like what we think about now.
DT: There’s definitely a speculative aspect to letter-writing.
BG: That’s why they really were literary works. Because the best you can hope for is to get lucky with the person you’re writing to. You can either get lucky and catch the woman in the right mood—let’s say, when you’re writing a love letter—or you can be skillful enough to create that mood. That’s the lost thing about e-mail.
I clipped this from a newspaper article I was reading regarding the lost art of letter writing.
Do you think this art form is being lost in the waves of the internet?
C'mon friends, I want to hear from those illustrious writers of old on myLot!
I love literature and romance and all that it gives us in life.


A writer acutally writing
 

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mimpi1911 (8497) response was accepted on 3/3/2010.
denotes best response, click it to go to the best response.
tags:  email, ben greenman, emails, enemy, fast
 
1. myLot reputation of 95/100. cobrateacher (4909)   ranked 775 out of 5,236 in writing   3 years ago

Hi, Oshy!
I love e-mail for everyday things. It certainly helps with the phone bill when I have friends in far-away places. But nothing is as personal and warm as a letter. Sure, they take longer, but they also show the effort and caring that goes into REALLY thinking of the person to whom you're writing. I love the dresser drawers that bulge with every letter and card I've gotten from my husband, since before you were even born!


myLot reputation of 98/100. OceanTiara (6977)  3 years ago

Ah, the love letters Cobra..lovely to know of, and even lovelier to know that you treasure them so much!
You see, that is what I wanted to convey exactly, things like this, in this discussion.
Thank you Cobra for sharing that with us.
I bet you could publish a book with those letters alone.
I had stacks of those once, now gone and lost through moves.
Tis alright, I remember well Cobra.
Before I was born?
There was a time before I was born Cobra?
LMAO Gf!lolthumbup


myLot reputation of 95/100. cobrateacher (4909)   ranked 775 out of 5,236 in writing  3 years ago

rasp

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2. myLot reputation of 98/100. muscles4me (11361)   3 years ago

Believe it or not I still do have one god friend that I still write to and she writes me as well. She moved in with her daughter and they have alot ofmoney problems so computer is out of the question for them. She also does not drive so getting the the library that is almost 30 miles from her house is out of the question. She has a cheap plan on her cell phone but will only take calls after 7pm which would be 8pm here and her grand kids are sleeping so she has it turned off.sad. In the early hours it is not always a good time eithetr BUT we do talk on the week end. So alot of people have free long distance on their cell phones and I think that ruins letter writing also. I get free phone service-LANDLINE-since I worked for the phone company for 30 years so I would call her more often if she had a landline but she does not.sad


myLot reputation of 98/100. muscles4me (11361)  3 years ago

Oh, th Sam Cooke song would have to be the early to mid 60's. Oh I remember that Red GTO and that 4 track(yep 4 not 8).


myLot reputation of 98/100. OceanTiara (6977)  3 years ago

You worked for the phone co for 30 yrs Muscles? I didn't know that! Jeez, hat off to you my friend!
Too bad about your dear friend now..aww, what a shame to not be able to call her as much..wish she had a landline too.
Your friend sounds like she lives a very peaceful life acutally.lolthumbup


myLot reputation of 98/100. OceanTiara (6977)  3 years ago

Four track? What?
I don't know of those Muscles..I really don't..what the heck?
I must investigate this now for myself.lol


myLot reputation of 98/100. muscles4me (11361)  3 years ago

My friend moved to Dayton Ohio to help out her daughter and her grandkids. Actually she has a stress filled life. First of all she is HIV positive, her husband died a painful death from cancer and her son was killed by a drive by shooter in the north side of St. Louis Missouri. But she still thanks God for what she does have.


myLot reputation of 98/100. OceanTiara (6977)  3 years ago

Well, you see, that shut me up Muscles...you see the hardship your friend has suffered and still is suffering in life..and she still is grateful..I so admire her attitude..what a woman to be still standing after all that..she must be very strong your friend..we should not complain, or I shouldn't. Makes me feel humble for all I have. Thanks Muscles.thumbup

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3. myLot reputation of 72/100. chaime (945)   ranked 2,565 out of 5,236 in writing   3 years ago

Yeah, maybe at some point we have lost the art of writing but we have gained the art of typing? Hehehe.. I believe the essence of it all hasn't been lost we still do write to each other via email. It is just that the medium is different and the mode of transfer is faster than that of the snail mail.
I guess in a sense it's still all good.


myLot reputation of 98/100. OceanTiara (6977)  3 years ago

Oh yes, it is all good as you say my friend. We are blessed to have it.
I do feel that I much prefer a handwritten letter over email any day of the week, especially from a loverwink

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4. myLot reputation of 99/100. mimpi1911 (8497)   ranked 23 out of 5,236 in writing   3 years ago

My Dear Roz,

Your post has been wonderful and I really love the days of letter writing. It was so beautiful, poetic and I could feel the writer's touch. Those were the days. Things have evolved since but I would always put forth hand written letters anyday.

Take care, be fine. happy writing.

Yours ever

Mimpi happy


myLot reputation of 98/100. OceanTiara (6977)  3 years ago

My Dearest Mimpi

Although I see you everyday here, everytime you go away, it seems a lifetime my friend.

I always can't wait to see the lovely glowing green flower of you, so that I know it is indeed my precious friend Mimpi, who spreads the love where e're she go.

Well, that is enough of that malarchy Mimpi lol ..heheheh
I got the idea and that was a beautiful handwritten, well typed the best we can on myLot LOL xoox

You are a jewell Mimpi..heheh I DO love you ever!lolwubthumbup

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5. myLot reputation of 94/100. Capsicum (943)   ranked 2,187 out of 5,236 in writing   3 years ago

If letter writing only had spell check ,oh well.I do love receiving them though am very bad at responding.I am embarrassed to say ,I joined face book just to see what my kid is up too....... Funny how something so important as a letter is over looked anymore by abbreviating and texting,not to mention messenger.It all seems so much easier. Or am I just lazy ? Oh well either way ,I wonder what people who lived 150 yrs. ago would think of the world today.Sorry if I drifted off topic ,just got me thinking.


myLot reputation of 98/100. OceanTiara (6977)  3 years ago

I love when you think Capsicum..that is what we are meant to do my friend and it is such a rarity, I am thrilled to read your words here so thoughtful and full of the wonder that these topis of old days bring.
Thanks and Happy myLotting friend..think some more ..I love it!happywublol

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6. myLot reputation of 97/100. BarBaraPrz (6650)   ranked 137 out of 5,236 in writing   3 years ago

Hey, Mr IP...
Is there an email,
An email for me?


Just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?
lol

Pre-internet, I would write long letters on the computer to my friends, print out their copy and store a copy on a floppy for me... While I still have those floppies (somewhere), I have no way of reading them now. Such is technology. Sigh.
sad


myLot reputation of 98/100. OceanTiara (6977)  3 years ago

Hhahah Barbs..Hey everyone..look at what Barbs just wrote!
Gosh Barbs, that is classic that little ring a ding line you just came up with..you should patent it and start a writing group lol..you are the bomb my friend..I love your words Barbs..xoxo Huggles and Love to youxoxlolwubthumbup


myLot reputation of 97/100. BarBaraPrz (6650)   ranked 137 out of 5,236 in writing  3 years ago

Thanks. You seem to be my greatest fan...
wub


myLot reputation of 98/100. OceanTiara (6977)  3 years ago

ahhah Write it down Barbs..yes of course I am your fan, and if I am the greatest, then I will be your publicist lol..It is catchy I tell you, more than you know..imagine if you could make a site like those internet gurus and tell people how you came up with that phrase LOL hahah My mind goes on long journeys Barbs hehehe It IS feesible though!lolhappywub

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7. myLot reputation of 77/100. Nic7389 (164)   3 years ago

im always emailing my friends. it isnt as personal as a face to face chat, but neither is texting or calling someone. or even writing a letter to someone. i posted a discussion yesterday on instant messaging, saying that it sucks the emotion out of us. as people use words like 'lol' far too often. and if you think about it, e-mail is almost identical to writing a letter.

it is a written correspondence and you send it to someone's address. its exactly the same as a letter except it isn't physical. but if you argue that then what next? computer based calendars are destroying peoples sense of organization?


myLot reputation of 98/100. OceanTiara (6977)  3 years ago

I agree with you 100% my friend.
You have hit a very important point here that we should really take note of ..brilliant of you to realise it.
Email does sap the life out of you..!
Yes, I do lol a lot..I am guilty..and yes it is laziness or habit rather for some of us.
I miss the olden days, but I think my fingers and hands would hurt a lot more if I was writing all this than typing all I do on myLot hahah and LOLlolwubthumbup

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8. myLot reputation of 94/100. sanjana_aslam (2464)   3 years ago

hi ocean

in official situations .. letter writing is still practiced

In love - it is either , facebook or email or the short messages (sms)

sometimes sending this short notes actually gives a glimps of smile to the receiver ..

i have written a few love romance letter for my husband and placed in his pocket .. later when he is at work, i will get romantic message on my phone ..

cheers


myLot reputation of 98/100. OceanTiara (6977)  3 years ago

Oh Sanjana..who can beat you with your sweetness?
You are too dang sweet girlfriend and all these niceties that you and your hubby do..you are like two lovebirds..yes, keep writing those notes Sanjana..they are lovery dovery and nicely hand written by you, the one and only Sanjana, my friend~! xoxo I lova u 2 hehehlolwubthumbup

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9. myLot reputation of 83/100. CremecheseRedux (202)   3 years ago

I still write letters, and except for the fact that my handwriting is not what it was, I like doing it. My mother complains all the time that my son and his lady don't write to us. I see them on Facebook, email, or we talk by phone. But it's true that hardly anyone does write letters anymore. They don't want to purchase postage, for one thing lol.

But when I receive a letter I feel special and important in someone's life. If I feel that way, then I know others do, too. Any woman would feel like a queen receiving a great love letter -- guys, remember that.


myLot reputation of 98/100. OceanTiara (6977)  3 years ago

Well, I have a compaint about the postal service at present Creme..I sent some cards to my sister and mother, sister is sick and it is now well over a week and they have not recieved them...pity.
I guess sometimes the post isn't what it used to be as well.
That might be better to have email, I think, but not all have computers even in this day and age..ah, yes the lost art of writing at all Creme. I have a few friends here on myLot that have gifted me with cards at holidays and such..it is nice.
I am sorry your son does not keep in touch like that..know how it is Creme. xoxo Happy myLotting to you xohappywub

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10. myLot reputation of 86/100. mechanicNOT62 (1590)   3 years ago

How right he is! I believe time-frame is such an important part, and it's lost via the internet. We try to get much more done, which is why we go to the net, and so we sacrifice the quality of thinking things through the way we used to have to do. I think songs are a good example and I miss a certain something that existed in the music from say, a couple or three decades ago.sad
YO! There's a reason why the Postal Service is talking about closing a bunch of Post Offices across the US!shocked
Let's face it, the advent of the internet seems to have re-framed our whole way of thinking and acting.glare


myLot reputation of 98/100. OceanTiara (6977)  3 years ago

Yes, it has indeed Mechanic and I am dang mad at the post office though right now..my mom and sister did not get the cards I sent them..still waiting and its been well over a week now. Ah well..yes, though we are lucky to have the net, although my family, only me has the computer, well my mom and sister do not have one. Wish they did for it would save me worrying about the mail lol.
The whole way of life has changed yes, and I miss the old one sometimes Mechanic..I like this guy's outlook.
Happy myLotting me friend!lolwubhappy

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