“The Future of Communications"
By Capt. Fred Davis
Published: Friday, May 29, 2009



Will we actually give up paper? The age of electronics and digital is seen differently through different eyes. Some are eager to embrace everything the electronic companies develop while others cling to the print media, worrying it will soon be a thing of the past. For two or three year’s discussions and debates have raged about what the future holds for both. It is assumed print is “old-fashioned” and out dated but no conclusive data supports that belief.


As I see it, print will survive and even regain dominance. I don’t say this simply because I work for the print media, because I also appear electronically and recognize it as an asset to my work. I suppose my support of print will label me as old school, but I think I can justify my beliefs.


Print is best in cases where you wish to challenge a statement or article that appeared. Bloggers would debate this, but admit it: do you ever read more than one or two comments? In print media, everyone reads the letters to the editors. As a matter of fact, Margaret Ann Kuhl-Herbert of Caseville had a lengthy letter published three weeks ago in support of my current column. Her topic headline read, “Let’s not become slaves to machines.” The opinions she expressed were, “Today in America the precious resource of a good education is being down-graded in favor of electronic methods.” And, “We as a society have come to depend on “mental machines” as a substitute or replacement for our own mental ability to reason.”


Those of us who have been interviewed often wish to validate what was said by a review —and establish proof of the statements made. It’s often said, once on the Web, data never is removed, but on the other hand, something you saw an hour earlier could be gone and never retrieved.


Those who converse over the Internet using abbreviated text and misspelled words claim it’s expedient and saves time, but who wants to decipher what they may be saying. Depending upon what is being communicated, there is something to be said for each variation of exchanging ideas writing and texting.


Writing on paper provides an opportunity to review and consider before committing. Who hasn’t hit the send button then wished they could retrieve what was sent? When you have something really important to say or are waiting to hear something meaningful, do you want it said in three letter words? Do you want to risk not ever receiving that vitally important message? Will you even be able to decipher it on a tiny message box hanging around your neck?


I don’t think texting is the future for communications, especially with the research underway that proves how many lives are being lost as a result of its use. As an eye witness, I can testify there is not a day that I drive on a busy highway that I do not observe drivers with one hand on the wheel and the other grasping their phones. Just a few years ago, I would have said parents and schools would not allow youngsters, as young as pre-teens, to carry cell phones.


Changes in communicating are popping up almost daily, but are they adding to our quality of life — or do they create confusion? At the rate changes are taking place in this world, we may soon pass ourselves while trying to decide what the best mode of communicating is.


I suppose many would prefer to curl up with a monitor in front of the fireplace and read their favorite novel during a winter’s night. For me, the flicker of the fire and quiet turning of my books pages is more relaxing than a computer screen.


Capt. Fred Davis is a retired charter captain and nationally published author of boating articles. His “As I See It” appears Fridays in the Tribune and Boat Smart articles are published in each edition of the Thumb Resorter plus on line at www.captainfredsboattips.com.

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