The message that is sent is never the message that is received.
Two things about the history of communication are clear: The methods of communicating have evolved and the rate of change has accelerated. The methods have run the gamut from grunts and hand signals to email and texting. In modern times the rate of change is so great that Myspace is already a memory, the fax machine is gathering dust and emojis might represent one’s feelings better than words.
And just when one thinks they are up to speed, another new way to communicate comes along. While writing this column I received an email inviting me, an Amazon Prime member, to get my Amazon Dash Button today. A what? I had to watch the video to learn how to use this yet another form of communication.
The “button” is a device that is about the size of a thumb drive with a button-looking circle on it that one places near a product that is reordered often. Laundry detergent, coffee, pet food, even potato chips. When running low on the product the user/customer merely pushes the button to reorder the item. The button communicates with the customer’s smartphone, which immediately communicates with Amazon to order the product. Amazon’s computer then sends an email to the smartphone confirming the order. How’s that for another form of communication? By the way, there are over 200 dash buttons for your favorite products so far. And to think that the little gizmos cost only $4.99 each for Amazon Prime members.
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