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The Faster Times had a noteworthy post "Technology's Child: Why 21st Century Teens Can't Talk on the Phone". In the article an undergraduate college student explained why she cannot talk on the phone and the advantages of texting and chat. The student describes how she has to script out a conversation in advance before she makes all but the most routine voice calls.
The popularity of texting is well documented amongst children and college students. Whether it frequently leads to the inability to speak on the phone is probably worthy of more research. The point is that with the increasing abandonment of voice communications through phones in favor of written alternatives, the most valuable skill in the future may be the ability to communicate by voice (whether in person or in video). Remember voice is still the most effective means to motivate large numbers of people.
Another thought on the increasing use of text and email. I think there is a tendency to dehumanize when one uses texting and email over voice. Increasing digital information may make us more aware of the world's problems, but our behavior towards communication through computers may lower our sensibilities. Communicate more, feel less.
