Chapter 1: The Frustration of Modern Communication

In an age where remarkable technology is readily available, why do so many struggle with effective communication?

It truly frustrates me. I meticulously compose an email, hit send, and then wait in anticipation.

Days pass with no reply.

Regardless of who I'm reaching out to, it often feels like I'm left in the dark. I try sending a WhatsApp message—casual and engaging, curious about the other person’s life.

Still, the silence persists.

A week goes by without a word. A full week?

I understand that everyone is busy, juggling their personal lives, tasks, and commitments.

But when did it become so challenging to communicate?

Since the 2020 pandemic, it seems as if many have adopted a new, more detached approach to communication, retreating into their own isolated bubbles and responding only when it suits them.

I recognize that everyone has their preferred methods of communication, yet why is it that when the tables are turned, people expect immediate responses from me?

With so many ways to communicate, it has never been more convenient to reply to a message.

So why do individuals choose to ignore messages they’ve clearly seen until they feel ready to respond—sometimes a week or even a month later? No one is genuinely that busy.

This behavior appears to reflect a growing trend of rudeness—an attitude suggesting, “I’m too important to reply,” or “You’re not significant enough for me to respond to promptly.”

Recently, someone told me, “Your email didn’t appear in my notifications, so it must have been lost among others.”

Incredible! Fortunately, when that same person needed information quickly from me, their email didn’t seem to get “lost.”

This indicates either a lack of organization or sheer laziness.

If it were just me experiencing this issue, I might chalk it up to my approach, but I know others are facing the same frustrations.

To clarify, I don't expect someone to respond immediately upon receiving my message. However, I do believe it’s reasonable to anticipate a reply within the same day or at least the next day—even if it’s just an acknowledgment.

For a while, I brushed it off when I received no responses, but now I confront the issue directly. I follow up with another email, often copying their supervisor or sending a well-timed reminder.

While this consumes more of my time, it highlights a larger issue: people don’t seem to appreciate others’ time.

Crafting an email, making a phone call, or sending a message all take time, and I don’t want to waste my working hours chasing after responses.

One of my favorite sayings is, "time is a valuable commodity," and I truly believe that. I dislike having to expend my time pursuing others.

Have you been facing similar challenges? How do you handle it?

Chapter 2: Insights from the Experts

In light of these frustrations, it's valuable to consider perspectives from experts in communication and psychology.

This video titled "Gripe Week Wednesday: John Calipari, Tom Izzo, Coach K, and John Beilein | Sleepers Pod 7-31-24" discusses various communication breakdowns in the world of sports and beyond, shedding light on broader societal trends.

Similarly, the video "Gripe Week Finale: Draymond Green, Adam Silver, Derek Jeter, and Billy Joel | Sleepers Pod 8-02-24" dives into the challenges faced by prominent figures in maintaining effective communication, offering insights that resonate with our everyday experiences.