There Is No Moment After Pill

That email you sent to party A was forwarded on to parties B, C & D saved, printed and maybe filed away somewhere. When someone in emotional pain lashes out, we want others to share our “can you believe this shit?” moment so we forward the offending email. This summer on three separate occasions, I have been forwarded emails that weren’t penned to me. These were not your run of the mill emails. Because these emails were so mean and vitriolic they had become entertainment. They will make you cringe in the same way you would cringe while watching episodes of Jackass. I have had some seriously difficult disagreements and fights with people I care about but those fights happened face to face. The yelling, the tears, the confusion, it all happened in person. There seems to be a frightening trend of taking your hurt feelings, misunderstandings, things you-know-you-would never-say-in-person, to email. Of course I have sent emails out of anger or frustration, and let me tell you, I regret it. Blasting someone in an email is a little like sitting in your car with the windows rolled up cursing out the person in the car next to you. It is an act of impulsive cowardice because you are protected by the vehicle whether the “vehicle” is your car or cyberspace. It takes a lot of courage to look someone in the eye and say your piece. It seems that no matter what the message, being eye to eye at least keeps the possibility of forgiveness alive. The emails that were forwarded to me were so hate-filled and mean that there was not a response the receiver could offer that wasn't angry. I love all of our technology but think it is stunting our emotional growth.