In today’s world, everything needs to be fast and if possible, digital. There is nothing wrong with these two factors, with the exception that it has ruined both my generation and the generations following mine.

With the introduction of Facebook and Twitter, there has also been an introduction of a whole new vocabulary. Short forms of basic and long words have become standard both online and offline. Many of us (me including) have become comfortable with the use of “lol” (laugh out loud), “ttyl” (talk to you later), and other short forms like “ftw” (for the win). In the world of Twitter, these short forms are a blessing when only 140 characters can be utilized to convey a message. When these short forms become a part of our everyday lives, to the extent where we will input them into letters, emails, text messages, or in everyday writings, then it becomes a problem.

Short forms are not the only problem. As I had learned recently, spelling and grammar have also suffered. A combination of both social sites, relying on computer dictionaries and lack of grammatical rules, have contributed to a stunning loss in how we communicate. Between friends this is not a big issue, but when these habits translate into professional lives and the workplace, it becomes an problem. Many struggle to communicate with their colleagues properly and are asked to repeat or re-due work frequently. In a professional setting, errors in how we communicate is a representation of who we are. It is because of this, that many young people are struggling to accelerate in their careers.

In order to be fair and clear, I am referring to my own personal experience. Representing my “findings” based solely on what I have experienced, observed and been informed of. In tweeting and blogging, I have made mistakes which have been pointed out to me by individuals who only have tried to assist me in becoming a better writer. I thank them for that, because without such people, we would never learn and grow.