The history of writing has extensively developed over time leading into the 21st century. Looking back in history, there was once a time when means of communication involved parchment and ink quills. However now, times have changed and rather than sitting down to write a thoughtful letter, we tend to whip out our phones and text/email instead. The use of e-mail has raised several questions in comparison to communication through the letter and the traditional process of writing text by hand. Have we destroyed the sentimentality of personal messages because we chose what is more efficient and quick than doing the work to write a handwritten love note? The past few years, I found that I had become so used to texting or emailing, I felt stuck . My mother’s side of the family all live in India, and I found that email and social media was not useful in contacting due to the limited freedom of wifi in a developing nation. Letters and packages seemed to be our only way, but I learned that the quickness of email had made me lazy to put a pen to paper and write something meaningful. However, once I did and realized how impactful it was, I came to know the history of my family, and life in India through pictures, letters, and packages. However, as life moved forward and became hectic, these forms of communication were not strong and consistent enough to enable me to build an emotional connection and relationship with specific members of my family. This was when I saw the different perspective on email and virtual means of communication that was fast and easy. Although I did just contradict myself, this is also where I came to learn the benefits of emails that did not have to be prejudiced.
If I wanted to send pictures from America in the mail to India it would cost more money, more time, and would most likely end up misplaced or damaged. Why take thirty days to send a picture, when you can email one in thirty-seconds? I prefer to look at the difference between emails and letters this way; letters are for deep, sentimental messages and thoughts, or a simple way of reflecting true self, while emails and texting are for quick and efficient reasons that are best for time management. Both are used for very similar purposes, that of communicating with one another, but their values hold different as explained above. I had always written emails and in this generation, it just seemed easier to use technology to get your way out of everything. Emails are something you can do quickly to get communication over with, but letters take time and when it is important to show emotion and sentiment, they are the most valuable form of communication. In the words of Walt Disney, “The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity”. Although many may argue that emails are modern and letters were used during the “pilgrim age," it does not mean that vintage and old is bad and we cannot return to those concepts sometimes. Emails seem so informal and rushed, letters seem formal and worthwhile. For example, take an invitation, they are a form of letters and a formal way to invite someone to an important event. Last year, I received a “save the date!” card from my cousin Mila and reflected her and her fiancé’s emotions and happiness through it. Months later, we received an “e-vite” wedding invite and honestly, it was a poor choice because it seemed as if the event was superficial and unreal. It seemed hasty and as if they were too lazy to send an actual invitation. Whenever someone gifts me a hand written invitation to one of their parties, I smile and feel important because they felt as if they should take the time to personally write me an invitation and invite me to something that matters to them, but when I receive an e-vite or a text message about an event, I just hit “attending” or “send my regards” and it is over with, at times I can’t even open the link, so the message is lost. Anyone can send you a text inviting you to their house for a party, it is common, but a formal invite is something that has shown that chivalry has fallen in this generation. Another important issue with email v letter is the urgency factor each brings when filing a report or complaint. For example, if a person had a serious issue with a company and needed to file a complaint to receive compensation or justice, it is highly recommended that person writes a letter of urgency rather than an email. An email can be easily discarded or lost in spam and it can take big corporations several weeks to res