—How your keyboard, mouse or touchscreen
can affect change in the world
Last night I sent out personal
emails to a list of volunteers I’m working with. I’ve learned to re-read my
messages to assure accuracy of content and form—most of the time. (I still
catch myself in faux pas too often.) After going over and tweaking a message to
X, it was so easy to click SEND. Seconds later I noticed the address was to Y
instead.
How could I? And that was with at
least three re-reads. Fortunately the content was generally the same. Within a
few minutes I resent the message for X to X, and amended it for Y with RE: “Read
First…” and a “So sorry….” opening.
No damage—I hope. Sometimes accurate
intent is not conveyed when communicating without face-to-face cues of intonation
or expression. Too often it is not even close. Relationships, friendship or
employment could be at risk by misuse of today’s instant communique practice.
The term: infant terrible (ahn-fahn
te-ree-bluh) just came up on my
phone while consulting dictionary.com
for wording the previous sentence. “Noun. An outrageously outspoken or bold
person who says and does indiscreet or irresponsible things.” Sound familiar?
I better check my mirror before I
look out the window.
The point is: with this new form
of easy choice and lightning implementation, our affect can be dramatic and far-reaching.
Is it better to make harder choices? Tread lightly, or not at all, by email, IM,
tweet, and social media.
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© 2018 Ardi Keim 1/19/18
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