"The more elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate." - Joseph P. O'Brien

Since the invention of the telephone, our means of communication have been constantly changing. Technology has allowed us to have a connection with people who live far away. A few decades ago, the only way a person could contact a distant relative was with a phone call, and before that, one could only occasionally mail a letter. But now it’s possible to connect through a videocall, where both parties can see each other’s faces. Moreover, there’s the convenience of having a text conversation — there’s no need to wait for both parties to be present in order to have a conversation — you can just respond whenever you have time. Additionally, there’s a rapid development of VR technology. Soon, having a conversation in a virtual room may be just as normal as having a phone call. The Internet has made it possible to easily meet new people and make lots of new connections. For example, in a group chat or forum, it's possible to have a conversation on any topic with lots of people at once.

The convenience of having communication through those means could lead to the replacement of in-person meetings. When having a chat through text, one can’t know the other person’s genuine emotions. Emojis can’t replace that. There’s no technology that can replace physical touch either — and, according to some sources, there’s presently a touch starvation crisis. Participation in group chats can give you the illusion of social interaction, but it can’t replace meaningful interpersonal connection. All of those factors can lead to loneliness.

I think that technology gives people an opportunity to find new connections and to keep already existing ones for people who are far away or in situations where people can’t align their schedule, which is a positive thing. At the same time, the convenience of chatting online or in texts can't and shouldn’t fully replace in-person meetings. While modern conveniences are beneficial, they shouldn’t fully replace traditional means of communication.