Because of differences in
personal rhythms, it is often preferable for communication to
be asynchronous. That is, a remark need not be
immediately responded to but can wait until an appropriate
reply is formulated. Instead of going into a tailspin
when someone says something you consider stupid, you can avoid
em barrassing yourself and the other person by ignoring the
remark. Later you can say something appropriate if that
is really necessary.
Allow people the privacy of
their own thoughts by not using the phone unnecessarily.
The ringing of a telephone demands immediate attention and
should be inflicted on someone only when justified by the
seriousness of the situation.
Computer messaging
encourages asynchronous participation in discussion and
problem solving. A graduate student said that in class
she had to listen to everything her classmates said, but in
the computer conference she could ignore the messages she
didn't want to pay attention to. Persons who are shy in
face-to-face communication often find lots to say when they
don't have to face the people they're talking to.
