E-mail? Spam? The Dividing Line Is Disappearing!

Communication. The fundamental need for humans to interact, exchange information, transfer knowledge and socialize is based almost exclusively on our ability to communicate with one another. The technological revolution during the 70's and 80's brought with it the tools for humans to communicate interpersonally, almost instantaneously across vast distances. Forget about up-to-the-hour radio and TV news. E-mail now spreads the word faster and earlier than traditional new media mainly because you've got e-mail staring at you in your office, at home, in your hotel room while traveling—anywhere there's a network connection of some sort.

Years ago, the only time we needed to communicate while away from home was: a) when we started feeling guilty because two weeks had passed since the last phone call to our parents, and b) when we started feeling guilty because two weeks had passed since the last phone call to our kids. Nor was the cost of long distance phone calls particularly amusing. Now we go away on vacation and actually ask if the hotel has a 'net connection in each room, whether our cell phone will work in the area, and if the hotel charges a fee for receiving faxes. Above all else, the 'net connection is of paramount concern. Can't live without e-mail, not even on vacation.

The problem is that I hate e-mail. I receive as much or more than anyone I know. I'm in the research and technology review dodge for Pete's sake—I couldn't avoid e-mail even if I wanted to. I just hate it. The main reason is that it's no longer fun and quick. My Inbox is littered with hundreds of spam messages every day. Every day. Something has to change. More . . .