Have humans evolved far enough to no longer need face-to-face meetings to conduct business, negotiate peace treaties or spiritually fellowship?

Answer: Humans have not evolved, we were created! And research shows that we were created to communicate with each other at reasonably close quarters.

In his recent intriguing Forbes magazine article “Are Physical Meetings Becoming Outdated? Saving $10,000 Could Cost You $1M,” contributor Keld Jensen writes about negotiation, behavioral economics and trust. He cites the rise of faceless meetings via electronic media (including video conferencing) in the last half decade. Accompanying that trend, “The World Economic Forum has documented that over the past ten years, the general level of trust in our society has decreased by 44%. Indeed, the modern world has never experienced such a lack of trust among individuals, companies and state organizations” (Forbes at Forbes.com, August 21, 2014).

The main rationale for the demise of face-to-face meetings has been travel budget cutbacks, siren-like communications media marketing and old-fashioned, short-sightedness. Decision makers and too many regular individuals have forgotten the value of in-person communication. They have ignored the three research-quantified elements of human communication of which 7% is the meaning of the words, 38% is vocal tone and 55% is body language.

Mr. Jensen explains why those qualities don’t transmit well electronically:  “Trust is rarely created through email correspondence, over the phone, or through video conferencing. Trust is born in the handshake, the tone, gender, the dinner, the coffee…” It’s hard to appreciate the aroma of a klatch of coffee mugs through a digital connection.

He stresses the value of trust in society generally, “international research has shown that an agreement based on trust, rather than legal verbiage and complexities, produces 40% more value. Furthermore, establishing trust among the parties involved increases the likelihood of success in reaching an agreement by 100%.”

That kind of trust gets business done and fosters peaceable relationships between nations. But how can it help our everyday lives?

Your friendships:  Don’t just text, go visit your friend and talk. Notice how much better you understand and learn from each other. Reflect on the rapport (a type of trust) you build by visiting face-to-face.

In school:  Pay close attention to your teacher’s tone of voice as well as meanings of words. Study the body language of the instructor. Try to estimate how involved they are in their area of expertise. Notice the smells of the classroom, the books, the desks, the woodwork, etc. Research in the last 30 years has shown the olfactory sense to be the most closely linked to memory of all our five senses. How many fragrances can you receive over the phone or the video screen?

God and church:  Read the exhortation in the Bible, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25, emphasis added).

God wants you to diligently attend His Sabbath services because it helps build your trust (faith) in Him and closer, trustful ties with others of like mind. It will make you spiritually much stronger. Besides, God only did that one text message… the entire Bible! Be present on the Sabbath to be taught from it.