Click,Thumbs Up,Emojis!

Cambridge University Press

There’s a trend in meetings, networking events, and face-to-face discussions—people are tired of the endless click-click, thumbs-up, and countless emojis. The desire for authentic, personal connection is making a comeback.

How did we go from water-cooler conversations to "just text me"? Let’s time travel back to 1971, when Ray Tomlinson sent the first email between two computers on the ARPANET. The evolution of email, as detailed on Wikipedia, is fascinating.

I remember the learning curve of writing professional emails, let alone interpreting tone without taking things personally. Without nonverbal cues, it’s easy to misinterpret whether someone is being rude or just stating a fact. Even today, we struggle with email misunderstandings—hence, the rise of emojis to soften potentially harsh messages.

And now, we have AI. Mind-boggling, right?

Who would have imagined we’d develop full-blown electronic addictions? We can distinguish the exact sound of our phones—whether it's a message or a text. That little "ding" triggers our brains like Christmas lights, compelling us to check who it is.

Fast-forward: LinkedIn in 2002, Facebook in 2004, Twitter in 2006, Instagram in 2010. Time moves fast.

Now, it’s February 2025, and a new President is bringing sweeping policy changes. With global temperatures rising, we are again facing unprecedented times.

But there is hope—and that’s the real reason for this article. It’s time to reconnect with family, friends, and colleagues in meaningful, supportive ways. We need human connection.

Instead of using an emoji to express your emotions, why not call a friend and share how you feel?

Today, we often “throw up” our emotions all over social media with little regard for emotional regulation. It’s easier to claim we’re too busy and resort to texting or slapping on an emoji.

But here we are, in February 2025, standing in grocery stores, attending meetings, and talking with friends. The message is clear: we need real human connection. We need to feel safe expressing our emotions without fear of judgment. We must be accepted as we are—differences included—and still be respected and appreciated.

So, ask yourself: Are you relying too much on click-click, thumbs-up, and emojis? I invite you to spend more face-to-face time with the people who truly matter in your life. The most valuable resource on this planet isn’t oil or commodities—it’s the relationships with your family and friends.