Week One, Task One, Email and Email Lists

a) What are the characteristics (in terms of the kinds of communication they allow) of the following?:
b) How do you use them if you do; what for; what’s your experience of using them?

Firstly, I'd like to note I will be taking a slightly different approach to answering these questions, as I believe the research done on these particular tasks has 'fished out' the possibilities of finding any extra information! Instead of describing the media in question , I will be focusing on how these forms of communication work and what their significance is personally and communally.

Email and Email Lists

Email is an asynchronous form of communication which can be both personal and professional. It's integration into society has to be one of the smoothest I've seen in my lifetime. I remember watching children's shows and noticing their encouragement to use the new media - immediately referring to letter/postcard writing as 'snail mail'. Email became quick and easy to pick up. I have referred to this in my comments on 'Lister et al', where I spoke of empowerment in new technology. With spam filters and security becoming much better, email seems to be the new way to communicate for most of society. It has already been discussed the question of whether or not email can truly override the importance of letter writing. I personally believe that while we live in a society where friendships and romance are important, the letter will always be around. Receiving a letter allows a more personal touch. I regularly receive emails yet I regard receiving a letter as for more of an occasion. However saying this, I believe email to be the way forward professionally, with many job applications being online and even university lecturers sending reminders through email.
In conclusion, the most popular form of communication will most probably be the one that is fastest, safest and easiest to use. This (currently) is email.