My Random Thought Today: The Human Touch in Technology

So here's something to turn over in your head today... what form of communication means the most to you? It's funny, my role as a CTO dictates and requires me to focus on technology; however, occasionally I do think about that human element that may be lacking in such communication.  Sometimes it seems like it's so far gone that people don't know where to find it anymore.  Take for example; when we communicate via electronic medium, i.e. email, SMS, chat, etc..., do we take into account the emotional element that we want to convey? Or don't want to convey? When you say "Good job!" or "You did great!" or "Awesome!" in your emails, does that equal going to the individual and patting him/her on the back, looking into their eyes and saying those exact praises?

We all sit here with different opinions and responses to the posed question.   But no one can deny that technology does, for better or worse, have an effect on personal relationships.  Is texting "I love you" to your spouse giving the same effect as saying it face-to-face? (You don't get a kiss if you do it through text!)  In my opinion, technology is a wonderful medium which facilitates instant gratification.  But ultimately, we have to be cognizant of it coming with a price.    

Can you imagine living in a world where all your communications are through intermediary and that you can't feel, see, or touch the person that you are communicating with? What are your thoughts on the issue?

Paul Tran, CTO
Unified360