E-mail an essential invention

Nowadays, electronic mail is essential. In my view, e-mail is one of the most important inventions in human history. You can't live or work without e-mail. E-mail has a wide variety of functions. For example, I used e-mail to send this letter to the Young Post.

E-mail can also replace different kinds of greeting cards. It helps to protect the environment as it cuts down on the amount of paper used. You can send a Christmas card to your friend by e-mail instead of using traditional paper greetings.

E-mail is great progress in human culture. We should treasure the invention of e-mail.

Tsang Hing-lun

From the Editor

Thank you for your letter, Hing-lun. It's amazing to think that as little as 15 years ago - when many Young Post readers were toddlers, or not even born - e-mail was still a very new means of communication. Technologically advanced Hongkongers were using it a lot more than many people in Western countries, where people faxed when they needed to contact people overseas, or made phone calls.

E-mail is a time-saver, and also saves a lot of paper, something we should all be working hard to do to protect the earth.

Having said that, though, there is something very exciting about getting a 'real' letter, especially from overseas. And when someone sends you a real birthday card, it shows they put in the time and effort to remember your special day.

While e-mail is undoubtedly an efficient way to get in touch with people, don't forget that snail mail still exists. Writing a letter and putting it in the postbox lets your friends know you care.

Karly, Deputy Editor