Communication is universal in the way people correspond and connect with each other.  In this day and age there are so many different ways at which we are able to accomplish this; Internet, Phone, Email, Letters and through Direct Verbal conversations. In this day and age technology advances so rapidly, it is bringing us a step closer to those we love, hate and whomever we have dealings with both personally or for business.  Our society bases so much on communication that so much can fall apart if there is a breakdown in how we communicate.  The more I think I can't help but wonder; In a society where technology is making communication easier, are we actually getting worse at communicating?

Working for Australia's largest Telecommunications Company makes me realise how much emphasis we put on communicating for Business, be that with suppliers, customers, manufacturers and even the transfer of information between all of them.  It's amazing how a customer can go from being the nicest person to downright nasty when something goes awry because that link between them and those at which they're communicating with is broken.  You would think that if it was so important, they'd pay the extra money to have the more reliable service but at the time the monthly costs are their biggest concern and it's "your fault" when something goes wrong.  Sometimes, no matter how much you communicate effectively, you just can't win.

As time has passed, technology has surpassed all expectations in showing us how easy it can be to keep in contact with those we love.  Mobile Phones have revolutionised communicating across the globe with instant real time conversations, text messaging and even via the Internet on MSN & Web Cams.  Do you remember having a pen pal where you would wait a week for a letter to arrive in the mail?  Do you remember how exciting it was reading about your relatives lives in other countries around the world?  Now it's just a matter of sending a simple SMS, which is delivered within seconds directly to them.

The Internet is the way of the future.  When many sceptics thought it was a fad which had no future, it has grown into a whole completely different world where in many cases, you can be anything that you want.  It's the best way to transfer information quickly, securely and efficiently.  MSN & Web Cam has allowed us to somewhat hide behind a computer screen so we are able to portray ourselves in ways that could be different to the people that we are.  Is this really a good way to communicate?  By making 'communication' easier, it seems that we are able to hide, lie, play games and in the end make it harder for people to really know who they're talking to.  Is this really the way we want it to be? I know I'd prefer to know someone for who they truly are as a person and not the persona they create for themselves.

Building relationships with people is made easier if we're able to communicate effectively with how we are feeling and what we are thinking.  Years before this high tech revolution, people would meet, date, and be honest with each other about how they are feeling and there was less opportunity for mind games and playing people.  Now we are in a society where people think it's ok to forget common courtesy and no finish a relationship in a way that shows appreciation for what the two people had together.  Have you ever been broken up with via SMS? Phone Call? Or worse, MSN??  How dejected did it make you feel to know that you weren't even worth the effort have being told to your face?

I think it's hard enough to meet someone that we want to form a relationship with without all the extra things to worry about as to why they aren't replying to our text messages, why they're not answering our calls or even going offline when we log in.  Have you ever worried whether someone likes you for this reason? Isn't it amazing how this 160 character text message on a screen can alter our emotions and we rely so heavily on them to keep in touch with someone who we have REAL feelings for? I wonder what life would be like if we didn't have this in the first place.

In the end, there really is no stopping the rate at which technology is evolving and communication is becoming more instant and 'easier' to do.  As you can see it's how we as users of the technology put it into action in our lives and not use it as a tool to hide behind.  By doing so, aren't we just crippling ourselves socially by making it harder to form true and meaningful relationships with people we are interested in, love and hold so dear?  If we communicate what is on our minds simply, giving the receiver of the information clear understanding of what we're portraying can only open us up to true connections with amazing people.  I must say that as a person who is looking for that one true connection, I know what I need to work on if I'm ever going to find him.  What do you think?

Mik