Will email completely replace snail mail someday?
By kbkbooks
@kbkbooks (7022)
Canada
October 21, 2007 10:35am CST
We are already aware that packages and parcels are more and more being sent by courier like UPS or Fedex, instead of by mail these days. Some people even use these services for letters if they are in a rush to have them received on the other end. It is certain that I get more junk mail than personal mail in my daily (if there is actually any) delivery. Perhaps friends keep in touch even more now than when they had to sit down and actually write a letter then go to the post office and mail it. I know I am in touch with old friends from 20-30 years ago every day by email now. Sometimes it's not a personal note of course, but some cutesy message with cartoons and chain letter threats. I have to admit I usually forward those after erasing the references to chain letters and the silly warnings that something bad will happen if you don't forward it. Still, without the Internet and email I wouldn't even have contact with some people like that, my college roommate for example, and my best friend from high school. I even keep in touch with my sister and my mom by email from time to time, in addition to the telephone calls we have always shared.
It would seem that email has even become a tool in offices, for sending intra and inter office memos and other important information one might need for a particular client or job. I actually remember those tattered brown envelopes with the string closures that got worn out going from one desk or department to another. Even FAX is fading from usage with email's popularity. Many of us bought those printer, scanner, fax machines thinking we would use them endlessly. Now the scanner printer is a much smaller device and growing less expensive as we speak.
We could say that elderly people will always want snail mail, but someday that generation IS going to die. The only people left will be the ones who never knew a world without computer, Internet and email. Many of us even pay our bills by computer now. I can't remember the last time I actually wrote a check!
3 responses
@North_Atlantic (126)
• United States
24 Oct 07
You make some interesting points, but I just don't think its realistic that e-mail is going to completely replace regular mail any time soon. Even though you have a decent percentage of countries, such as the United States, that have a relatively high per capita income, and can afford computer and internet access, that simply is not the case over most of the world.
Also, e-mail has a few problems that would keep it from completely replacing regular mail. Some of this deals with the limits of what can be sent, and the security of the item being sent. While regular mail can be intercepted and read too, the chances that an e-mail can be picked off and opened without notice is somewhat higher, at least in theory.
The other problem here is how comfortable some are with computers. Yes, many people do pay bills or conduct other business online, but many more prefer the traditional methods of bill paying, correspondence and conducting business.
I think it's kind of an over assumption to say that every one who opposes the traditional mail system is just going to die some day. This leaves out the fact that mail will always be the preferred choice for certain types of interaction and official correspondence. Not everyone born today prefers a computer, even though it might seem like that.
Perhaps one day e-mail will become something much more than it is today, but I just don't think it has the potential to replace traditional mail yet. You have some very interesting points though, and a very well written argument, thank you for sharing.
1 person likes this
@babostwick (2036)
• United States
23 Oct 07
I don't know if it will or won't get rid of it but I don't think it's possible. There will still be some that want to send out letters in the mail. I admit technology has advanced but I don't know if it will go away for good. There could still some that don't want a computer and could careless about it.
I guess only time will tell. I still use a printer though and I don't see a need to get rid of it. It will depend on how the new items get a reception.
1 person likes this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
24 Oct 07
It is for sure that we will never know what the future holds until it happens. There will always be people who want to keep the old ways. It really depends on how the youth receive their elders' attitudes on whether or not they will keep using snail mail. Eventually more of the elders will be gone and it will be up to the youth to decide.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
22 Oct 07
I too rely on the Internet for all my bills etc. etc. I seriously doubt it will completely take over the regular mail system. There are many older folks who do not have, or want, a computer. There is also the monthly expense of the Internet connection and lastly so many parts of the third world do not have the availability of the Internet
1 person likes this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
22 Oct 07
However, the older generation slowly will die out leaving only those who have never known a world without computers. Eventually most parts of the world will have computers and Internet, probably excluding those in greatest poverty who don't have any bills to pay. That may sound harsh, but it's actually the way it is. They just don't have the need. As far as the cost of computers and connections, they are always coming down. At one time, only military and government used computer communications to any great extent. Slowly the usage filtered down through industry and business to the common person. The more things come in to use, the more they come down in cost and become a common part of life.
