On the topic of email

I've been reading and hearing more and more about how communication through email isn't as personal or effective as a face-to-face meeting or a phone call. Apparently people think email is cold, emotionless, and devoid of intonation.

Poppycock, I say. These people simply do not know how to read and write.

Email, after all, is just another form of written communication. You wouldn't call Shakespeare "emotionless." And if you told Oprah one of her precious book club offerings was "devoid of intonation," she'd probably eat you (and I mean every last bit of you) so she'd gain a hundred pounds and have an excuse for another weight loss special.

It all comes down to the fact that most people try to write the way they speak. This doesn't work. You can't just jot down whatever stream of conciousness crap flows through your pea brain and assume people are going to understand it. You have to think about what you're writing and consider the best way to present the exact tone you're trying to convey. It's really not that difficult.

And when all else fails, toss in an emoticon or two. After all, what could be clearer than this:

:( You're fired! ;) :0