The E-Mail Petri Dish Grows

Iria · Jan 20, 2006, 09:45 PM

In the name of science, Columbia University behavioral scientists recently dissected every e-mail sent by every Columbia student for a year.

During the year it took to procure the e-mail and the ensuing months of research on the 14 million or so missives, the 43,000 correspondents never knew they were the subjects of such a grand experiment.

Shockingly, the rather quiet way in which Columbia went about conducting its recently unveiled study is not an isolated case.

Professional and scholastic researchers said during recent interviews that they are digesting increasingly larger amounts of e-mails, and as continues to be the practice, the correspondents never have a clue what's going on. Researchers said they do not feel compelled to get their permission.

Despite a backlash, many researchers say they are actively trying to find ways to fill their research with even more missives, a sign of just how unstoppable the forces at work might be.
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Read More / Source: Yahoo! News

Jan 20, 2006, 09:45 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	The E-Mail Petri Dish Grows In the name of science, Columbia University behavioral scientists recently dissected every e-mail sent by every Columbia student for a year. During the year it took to procure the e-mail and the ensuing months of research on the 14 million or so missives, the 43,000 correspondents never knew they were the subjects of such a grand experiment. Shockingly, the rather quiet way in which Columbia went about conducting its recently unveiled study is not an isolated case. Professional and scholastic researchers said during recent interviews that they are digesting increasingly larger amounts of e-mails, and as continues to be the practice, the correspondents never have a clue what's going on. Researchers said they do not feel compelled to get their permission. Despite a backlash, many researchers say they are actively trying to find ways to fill their research with even more missives, a sign of just how unstoppable the forces at work might be. ___________ Read More / Source: Yahoo! News