Skip to content

Imagine you are writing an email. You are in front of the…

“Imagine you are writing an email. You are in front of the computer. You are operating the computer, clicking a mouse and typing on a keyboard, but the message will be sent to a human over the internet. So you are working before the computer, but with a human behind the computer.” quote by Yukihiro Matsumoto
Download Open image
“Imagine you are writing an email. You are in front of the computer. You are operating the computer, clicking a mouse and typing on a keyboard, but the message will be sent to a human over the internet. So you are working before the computer, but with a human behind the computer.”

Yukihiro Matsumoto

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Writing an email is a mediated act: you type on a machine, but the recipient is a human, reminding us that digital communication still requires empathy and awareness of the person behind the screen.

In simple terms: Emails are technical but ultimately human messages.

Key Takeaway

Treat each email as a conversation with a person.

Themes

communication empathy technology

Mood

thoughtful considerate professional

Type

professional educational

When to use this quote

  • customer support
  • team collaboration
  • remote work

Key Concepts

human-centered design digital etiquette mindful interaction

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you make your digital messages feel more human?
  • What cues show you’re addressing a person, not a device?
A Different Perspective

Over‑reliance on shortcuts can make messages feel impersonal.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Yukihiro Matsumoto

Explore all 21 Yukihiro Matsumoto quotes

More Behinds quotes

Browse all 6,789 Behinds quotes