Thema’s Lack of Correspondence the Canary in the Coal Mine

In every issue of Thema, editors include correspondence from readers. However, in the most recent issue of the publication (Autumn 2010), the editors note that “for the first time in 22 years, no one communicated with us!” I don’t believe this lack of communication is due to any absence of readers, but rather the method of receiving the missives: traditional post. No doubt if Thema were to accept e-mail and text messages (and publish tweets and FB wall scrawls), there would be no lapse in this feedback loop. It seems reflective of the times that the days of letter writing, envelopes and stamps – even for a publications whose readers appreciate the print format – are quickly coming to an end for many.