Personally, I strongly disagree with the statement because I believe that technology has made communication between people more personal. There are a variety of reasons that make communication between people more personal, some of which are listed here: Face-to-face communication allows the two parties to see one another, body language, tone of voice, and eye contact. I recognize that technology can ease communication between people, but it cannot replace these natural, human aspects of communication.

For instance, when communicating via email, both parties cannot see one another, and there is a possibility that the message may be misinterpreted. Another possible issue is that, when communicating via text, it may be difficult for one party to correctly read the other’s body language. Additionally, when communicating via voice, both parties may not hear one another accurately. Lastly, written communications do not always convey the tone or emotions used to convey a message.

When communicating via face-to-face communication, there is a much greater chance that the message will be understood by both the sender and the receiver. Even if the message is not fully comprehended by the recipient, body language and tone of voice can convey certain meanings and feelings that are likely to have been intended. For example, if an individual is speaking slowly and in a calm tone, it is an indication that he or she is not agitated. In contrast, if an individual is speaking quickly or in an angry tone, it is likely that he or she is frustrated. Moreover, the speaker’s appearance and body language may betray whether he or she is telling the truth or not. For example, an individual smiling and speaking in a calm voice might be trying to reassure another individual that his or her message will not be upsetting. Alternatively, an individual speaking in a calm but assertive tone of voice may be trying to convey that his or her message is just and reasonable.

Another important aspect of communication between people is body language. Even in cases where the words are being accurately conveyed, body language can convey so much more. For instance, if an individual is sitting in an uncomfortable position, it may indicate that he or she does not find the situation pleasant. Similarly, if an individual is slouched or fidgeting, it may indicate that he or she is extremely uncomfortable. Additionally, if an individual looks away or avoids eye contact with the other party, it may indicate that he or she does not trust the individual or that he or she is uncomfortable with the situation. Finally, facial expressions can convey emotions. A smile indicates a pleasant feeling, such as happiness or contentment, while a frown indicates an unpleasant feeling, such as anger or displeasure.

The use of speech and non-verbal communication is also affected by technology. For example, when speaking with someone in person, one can use hand gestures, such as pointing, to emphasize a point. However, when communicating via text, this is not possible. Additionally, when speaking via phone, there may be background noise that makes it difficult to hear the other party. Finally, the use of emojis or emoticons in text messages or emails can make communication less personal because it is unclear which emotion is being conveyed. Taking all of this into consideration, it is clear that technology cannot replace face-to-face communication.