Communication Quote by Douglas Groothuis
““The way we interact online becomes the norm for how we interact offline. Facebook and Twitter communications are pretty short, clipped, and very rapid. And that is not a way to have a good conversation with someone. Moreover, a good conversation involves listening and timing and that is pretty much taken away with Internet communications, because you are not there with the person. So someone could send you a message and you could ignore it, or someone could send you a message and you get to it two hours later. But if you are in real time in a real place with real bodies and a real voice, that is a very different dynamic. You shouldn’t treat another person the way you would interact with Twitter.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public talk on digital communication, 2015
Online brevity erodes deep listening and timing, making real‑world conversation richer than instant messages.
In simple terms: Short online messages hurt real conversation.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize face‑to‑face dialogue.
Themes
communication
listening
technology
relationships
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
advice
observational
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- family dinners
- therapy sessions
- educational workshops
Key Concepts
media theory
social presence
attention span
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice mindful listening in digital chats?
- What habits can restore patience in online replies?
A Different Perspective
Online platforms can still foster deep dialogue with intentional pauses.
