How we communicate with one another is a vital part of civilization. From the first telephone patent in 1876 to the iPhone in 2007 -- the tools that we use for communication have continually evolved.
Over time, communication methods have evolved to more closely mimic in-person, realtime interactions.
For synchronous communication, the primary driver of innovation has been the medium. Over time, synchronous communication platforms have, visually, moved to resemble in-person interactions more and more:
For asynchronous communication, the primary driver of innovation has been the speed of exchange. Over time, these platforms facilitate exchange that feels more and more like a real conversation:
Between platforms like Zoom ($130B), Slack ($15B), and Figma ($2B) - we’ve gotten to the point where our remote communications really mimic what it is like to be in person.
During this pandemic, we have seen a seismic shift in the way that we communicate with one another. But - as outlined in my previous post here - Zoom is not meant to be used for 8 hours a day.
New modes of communication will allow for enhanced functionality beyond what exists in IRL