I’ve always read that actual communication is lost when not speaking face to face, like 80% of the time messages are likely to be misinterpreted because of indirect communication tools. Things like email, msn, facebook, skype, phone messages. Without seeing the other person’s eyes, tone of voice, body language or posture while delivering the message, we can very easily misinterpret intended messages.
I never thought this true until I experienced it myself, over some important matters. Things got misunderstood and everything went upside down.
When a person answers a “yes”, you can easily pick out a “most probably not” reply while speaking face to face compared to online messaging. Online is where we take most replies at face value, so they might still answer a yes, even though already decided to flake out on the meeting.
As such, I’ve learnt to stop conversing about important matters online, and as much as possible discuss things in person instead.
Yes Online communication have a serious flaw. Thats why they invented video conference.. :P