I've popped over to our venerable local library in order to check my online finances and, more importantly, to write to you.

I've been thinking, and this morning I have come upon a proposal for what could be a fun experiment. Keep in mind that this is the first draft, subject to your honorable input and of course to mutually agreed upon parameters.

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Problem:
Internet chatting has its plusses, yet can be rather superficial and even addicting, while yielding mixed messages and pages of unsubstantive information. In short, it's the equivalent of cocktail conversation without even the true benefit of visual cues from body language. It is quick, blindingly quick at times, and quantitatively plentiful, thus in a way it cheapens its own exchanges. It tends to override the need/desire for quality by its simple ease of access. This is akin to what television does to one's desire to create and learn on one's own. (I don't think anyone really starts out WANTING to be a couch potato; they just get sucked into it by the ease of flipping that switch, and then become addicted to the mind numbing stuff.)

Question:
Can the Internet be used to promote qualitative communication between a man and a woman?

Hypothesis:
Yes, if it is used in a different manner than it is currently now being used.

Proposal:
One man and one woman, who have already established through conventional e-mailing techniques, that they have an interest in each other, use the Internet to exchange actual letters. These exchanges shall continue for a period of one month as per the parameters defined below. At the end of one month the couple will discuss the value of this experimental communication via phone conversation.
Parameters:
· A letter will be a written form of communication into which thought will be given and may be edited as often as needed before being sent, via the Internet.
· Only one letter per day may be sent by either party.
· Each party must wait to hear from the other party before sending a letter.
· Letters may be as long or as brief as time and inclination dictate.
· Each writer must ask a single question of the other writer at the end of every letter.
· Each writer must respond, in some manner, to the question asked of them before asking their own question.

So that is the idea. Basically see if it is possible to slow the process down enough so that you are actually a kind of pen pal exchanging substantive information and then see what effect that has on the development of the relationship. I don't think either of us has anything to lose by the experiment and possibly a great deal to gain.

What do you think Sir Thomas? If you think it's worth a try, it's your turn to fine-tune the rough draft, parameters and all.

Give it some thought.

Queen Catherine