New ways of communication

Virtual or e-dialogues are a new concept for me. I have not had the experience in being involved with any of them; however, I plan to take a look at the one on Tuesday May 13^th, on “Sustainability Indicators” since I will not be able to participate. E-dialogues can be important because they provide the ability for different people from different backgrounds and geographical areas to come together and participate in a conversation that they may not otherwise have been able to. They can also give an increased level of diversity, a means of archiving the information immediately as it is happening. E-dialogues can also have limits including an age barrier limitation where the younger people are savvy in the knowledge of computers while older people may not be, it is a public conversation which could limit what someone would normally say in a conventional conversation, and it may not engage all of the public community.