"The more we elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate"

J.B. Priestley’s observation draws attention to a paradox at the heart of human interaction. As technological progress furnishes us with ever more sophisticated ways to connect, telephones, emails, social media, instant messaging, video calls, the expectation is that our communication becomes richer, quicker, and more effective. Yet, Priestley suggests the opposite: that these proliferating channels can lead ironically to a deterioration rather than an improvement in genuine human understanding.

Layering and multiplying channels of communication can fragment attention and dilute the authenticity of exchanges. The ease and speed of digital interactions can replace thoughtful dialogue with quick bursts of information, often lacking depth or context. Meaning that could once be distilled through the subtlety of face-to-face conversation or the intimacy of a handwritten letter is often lost amid the noise of notifications and the brevity of character-limited messages. The quantity of what is exchanged increases, but the quality, true understanding, emotional resonance, shared nuance, may diminish.

Moreover, as the mechanics of communication become more elaborate, the focus can shift from meaningful content to the methods themselves. People may become more preoccupied with how to say something, choosing the right emoji, crafting a clever tweet, or curating their online persona, than with what they are really trying to express or understand from others. Real connection can be sacrificed for performance or convenience.

Priestley's words serve as a caution: technology should be a conduit for human connection, not an end in itself. When tools of communication outpace the cultivation of empathy, active listening, and authentic engagement, the core purpose of communication, connection, understanding, and community, risks being lost. True communication depends not on the sophistication of our devices or platforms, but on our willingness to genuinely engage with and listen to each other.