While we were still in DC, we saw many beautiful old buildings and statues engraved and adorned with words and phrases. The words may be poetry, wisdom or noble notions, but all are sentiments meant to stand the test of time.
One that really stood out was the engraving on the southwest corner of the grand old post office building next to Union Station. The inscription was written by Dr. Charles W. Eliot in 1911. I took a photo of it, but it didn’t come out very well. It reads:
Messenger of sympathy and love
Servant of parted friends
Consoler of the lonely
Bond of the scattered family
Enlarger of the common life
When I read those words, I think instantly of email and social media. Surely digital communications provide all of those things to us now. Do people really still send mail for these reasons?
I guess old habits die hard. I do still send birthday and holiday cards, and usually double-up with an e-card as well. Sympathy cards will never go out of vogue – the formality and familiarity of mailing a card seems the right thing to do in times of grief. Other than those instances though, I rely far more on email and social media – Facebook, blogging, instant messaging, Twitter, etc. – to stay in touch with friends and family. I certainly can’t think of anything that has “enlarged the common life” more than online communication.
What do you think – has postal mail gone the way of the dinosaur, or will it soon?
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6 responses so far ↓
1 Lara Kretler // Aug 18, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I stand corrected – a colleague just reminded me via Twitter that thank you cards are another great time to use postal mail. I guess I use it more than I realized.
2 Sameer Vasta // Aug 19, 2008 at 9:25 am
I must be stuck in the stone age, because I send at least 15-20 letters a month to people — thank you notes, just thinking of you letters, birthday cards, etc.
Something about the tangible nature of paper really appeals to me. I hope postal mail never disappears.
3 Richard Brennan // Aug 20, 2008 at 10:34 am
I always post thank-you notes to family, and I’m surprised that some media jobs still ask for application forms to be posted, not e-mailed.
However, most of my communication does take place via email, Facebook or blog comments.
I like your blog by the way, found it via Blogcatalog
4 larak // Aug 20, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Sameer, I love that you send so many letters and cards. You’re inspiring me – I need to do more of that! There’s nothing I love more than getting a letter or card in the mail. Especially with art or stickers all over the outside of the envelope.
Richard, thanks for visiting and for your kind words! Heading over to check out your blog now. Cheers.
5 Sameer Vasta // Aug 21, 2008 at 8:50 pm
If you email me your mailing address, there might be a letter appearing in your mailbox pretty soon. =)
6 larak // Aug 26, 2008 at 9:31 pm
@Sameer WOOT!
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