A new survey in the UK by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising reveals the extent to which those old standbys of pen and paper are falling into disuse. The IPA survey shows that almost all written communication today is electronic. Email is is by far the most popular way of communicating, making up half of all media consumption. Others utilize SMS (29%) and 10% communicate via instant messaging. That leaves just 13% of us who still insist on scratching out notes on paper.
Paper’s low numbers are even worse in the younger demographic: only five percent of 15-24 year olds use the stuff, and presumably it’s evil twin, the pen.
…might be time to divest those shares in The International School of Calligraphy And Handwriting.
TouchPoints Survey – IPA Press Release, 23rd March 06
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I love scribbling down ideas and notes on paper. I hope paper doesn’t become scarce anytime soon.
Yeah, I have a hard time believing that pen and paper will ever be completely discontinued.
I’m not so sure. I know some young people who would never touch a pen or pad of paper if they didn’t have to.
I’d better start hoarding pens and papers now while I still have a chance.