The Humble Business Card

They have been with us since the end of 17th century.

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They contain vital information about us.

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And their design holds hidden codes about how we want to be remembered.

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However, these small cards of paper have been coming under increasing pressure.

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The ease with which we can transfer data about ourselves without using card continues to improve.

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Near-field communication has proved a hit with the technically minded for many years.

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The ease, speed and confidentiality with which we can transfer detail about ourselves continues to improve.

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Yet, another force is coming into play. New questions are being posed.

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Namely, do business cards represent an unnecessary artefact of an analogue age?

An age in which communications occurred with little thought about our impact on the planet.

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Put simply, many people are now questioning the ethics of organisations who continue to print business cards for their employees.

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There are those who argue the carbon footprint for production is marginal.

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Others posit they are part of the ritual for doing business.

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Such human centred and nostalgic arguments are increasingly being challenged.

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The standard defence that they can be produced in a sensitive way, utilising recycled materials, seems to be running out of road.

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How then might we cope in the future without our business cards?

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Anyone who has seen the ‘Abba Voyage’ show might have seen a clue to the future.

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Avatars of the band communicate with the audience in a wholly realistic way without being at the venue.

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So will it be a personal avatar in the future that acts as our individualised business card?

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Will my avatar swap details with your avatar at the drinks party?

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Will polite introductory email exchanges take place as our glasses are refilled?

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Is it going to take a new collaboration between humans and machines to trump the humble business card?

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