Communication Overload

Last week I came to the conclusion that I have been afflicted with a new disease, and unlike Coronavirus, I don't think they'll ever come up with a cure for this one, in fact I think it may spread even further, and very rapidly.

I call it Communication Overload, which when I think about it, sounds a bit like it could be another Covid something - Communication Overload Via Internet Devices!

What am I talking about?

Over 7 days last week, I counted up somewhere around 350 emails received on my work email, 60 on my home email and about 30 text messages on my new smart phone, yes I finally succumbed and threw out my third T-Model Ford vintage $60 Nokia, and now I know how to text the new modern way. For the record, I don't consider it a blessing.

I have never been bombarded by so many emails and they are relentless. Sadly, they are a fact of life for me at this time because of the virus situation. The amount of emails I now get skyrocketed when some of my team started working at home and also after we started our new Newswatch newspaper.

It's also interesting to note how much stuff comes in, everything from doctors and businesses wanting to confirm appointments, bills coming via email, electricity companies making sure your power box is accessible, reminders about chemist prescriptions, junk mail type offers, newsletters, spam from everywhere across the world, and then of course, the myriad of press releases a media outlet routinely gets. I don't know how many times I've taken the unsubscribe option, but one I just can't seem to stop is a personal one at home. Does anyone know how to stop Woolworths from sending emails? They don't seem to have an unsubscribe option on their emails and despite numerous emails to the company via any contact us email I can find, they still keep coming. It really is annoying, and we just aren't interested in their loyalty schemes, frequent flyer offers or anything else. We also don't like the way that they can identify what you buy and then tease you with offers on those exact products. Talk about Big Brother watching you?

Anyway, as I said, emailing, texting etc. is the modern way and whether we like it or not, we're stuck with it and pity the sad old sods like me who don't want to play. And by the way, I've also had offers lately to join in the new flavour of the times, Zoom, but I simply don't want to go there, or Skype or anything else.

I know I'll have to get with the program sooner or later, but for now I just rely on my savvy staff or grandkids to save me each time I get into trouble with something technological, usually on a daily basis.

Put simply, I still enjoy talking face to face with people and reading a hard copy newspaper or magazine, and I still enjoy the simple pleasures that getting out amongst nature or old-fashioned pleasures like playing board games provide. Yes, I'll have to come up to speed sometime, but I can't see that happening anytime soon, especially while ever I can stumble by still doing things my way.