This is an URGENT message.
Figures are frightening, their heights, increasing.
144 billions of emails were exchanged every day in 2012, 183 in 2013. Any guesses for 2014? In this incredible mass, 90% are believed to be spams or publicities. Dealing with our emails takes up approximately one third of our professional time… and consistently encroaches upon our private lives.
Stress, bad concentration, distractibility, irritability, hyper connectivity… The “-ity” syndromes flourish to describe this absurd form of control and persecution. Studies, maybe a bit more bizarre but as relevant as others, start to appear: apparently, the sadder and depressed people are, the more quickly they will answer to emails.
Which causes which?
« Because the mail never stops! »
In any case, an increasing number of people are now weary of using emails. Seminars to help us fight this addiction exist. Companies such as Volkswagen forbid their employees to use their professional mailbox outside of office hours. E-militants simply give up and decide to snob emails for other ways of communicating (internal or external social networks, sharing platforms…).
The email invaded and took control of our lives; its noose is tightening and suffocating; we have lost control over our own speech.
Without exaggerating of course.
It is now our mailbox which imposes its rhythm and tempo to our daily lives (in the most truthful way actually, as the addicts’ heart rate is far higher than that of others). Who can still claim he does not recognize himself in this diatribe from the postal worker Newman in the cult sitcom Seinfeld?
A foreseen death? Too early to say!
People such as Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (as well as other less « involved » parties) enjoy saying high and loud how the email is on the brink of disappearing.
Enlightened insight or illusionary fantasy?
For even without stating all the irreducible imperfections of these other solutions, they remain most of the time nothing more than a mixt and hybrid form of the email. Not a drastic change or improvement which would provoque its demise. The email is still the most simple, shared and accessible way of communicating. It is the middle ground which can unite the hardened activists for the return of homing pigeons as well as Google Drive fanatics.
Do not put all your eggs in the same basket.
However, one can notice a change in the use people have of their mailbox. The way we deal with our multiple ways of communication is becoming more intelligent, logical and diversified.
The email, as maintained by the Observatory for Corporate Societal Responsibility, should not be used for properly everything.
Sometimes, it is quicker to ask a question on a chat. Other times, documents sharing platforms will prove more useful. Or moreover, we can even get up from our chair and go ask directly the person in question. This transformation is on its way. We can take part to it willingly and consciously (as a sign of conviction or rebellion or else) or unconsciously (simply because, in the end, it’s the logical thing to do).
We are not (yet) rid of emails. Not such a shock actually, when we see that we still use traditional (and paying!) letters...