The less we communicate

"The more elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate," according to theologian and educator Joseph Priestley.

By "less" I think he means a qualitative "less" rather than a quantitative "less."  Shallower.

It's a nice quote, but I don't necessarily agree with this.   I think the means and modes of communication have changed.  But ever generation thinks it was better when they were younger.

Aristotle himself railed against the written word, claiming it would take away from pure spoken dialogue.  (I'll have to find a citation for that.)

Writing for the web

I vastly prefer informal writing styles for the web. And, thus "internet" and and "email" over "Internet" and "e-mail."

This is a post from Wired News from back in 2004, where they say they will no longer capitalize "internet".  http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2004/08/64596

Quote:

In the case of internet, web and net, a change in our house style was necessary to put into perspective what the internet is: another medium for delivering and receiving information. That it transformed human communication is beyond dispute. But no more so than moveable type did in its day. Or the radio. Or television.

Clap clap.

The CBC had a similar posting in 2003. http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/words/internet_i.html

Quote:

The language we speak and write is constantly evolving. Almost 100 years ago, the first edition of what's now known as Strunk and White's The Elements of Style insisted on to-day, to-night and to-morrow. Much of the book's general advice on clear writing remains relevant. But its specific edicts on how to spell certain words were abandoned decades ago.