Forums and Email are my preferred means of communication. I’ve done some Zoom calls and I think once I tried Skype.

I think I prefer having the time to think about what I want to convey to the other person and then going through the process of writing out a letter. I can go back and make changes to the tone or place extra emphasis on certain points.

On a video call all of this happens on the fly and any mistakes cannot be undone.

I also get quite uncomfortable with long pauses on a video call. Someone asks me a question that I need to think about.

I pause.

I can hear the Jeopardy theme playing in my brain.

Oh, it’s so awkward.

I end up just saying anything to cut short the pause. I get misunderstood by others and sometimes my self as well.

One avenue of communication I no longer use is Discord. Many years ago I became the target of racism and harassment by other users on the platform.

They (Discord) offered little to no accountability or remedy at the time and I didn’t feel safe being there anymore. I haven’t returned to the platform since.

I often get asked for my Discord ID or to hop on chat with others and I have to be honest with people and let them know that I don’t use it.

I also take the time to inform them of my experience so they will be aware. The worst thing you can do when you face injustice is to remain silent.