Study: Humans Are Talking 28% Less Than They Used To

Researchers from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Arizona have unveiled a study suggesting a dramatic decline in spoken word communication. Their findings, spanning from 2005 to 2019, indicate that the average number of words people utter to another human being has decreased by a staggering 28 percent. Back in 2005, individuals were speaking an average of 16,632 words daily.

The study analyzed data from 22 different research projects, encompassing over 2,000 participants who recorded their daily conversations. The researchers observed a clear downward trend as digital communication tools became more prevalent. The rise of app-based ordering, the ubiquity of texting, and the general shift towards online interactions appear to be the primary drivers behind this reduction in face-to-face verbal exchanges.

While the study concluded in 2019, the researchers posit that the COVID-19 pandemic has likely intensified this phenomenon. With remote work and increased screen time becoming the norm, the opportunities and perhaps even the inclination for in-person conversations may have further diminished. It's a thought-provoking trend that could have implications for social connection and interpersonal skills in the long run.

So, what do you think, dear readers? Are you finding yourselves talking less in person? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!