Email, the root of all evil?

I just read an interesting blog about email and getting rid of it if it is controlling your work life, as well as the article they refer to http://www.theage.com.au/news/essential-gadgets/when-the-inbox-is-on-the-outer/2007/09/19/1190486197735.html is also interesting.  It definitely made me envious, to have an organization that forward thinking in how to communicate.  We push a lot of things out on wiki now, but much of the organization still uses email.   In addition to the focus, I think wiki’s or other online collaboration help with other aspects of communication:

•  Wiki’s are “Permanent”, so people think about what they write more before sending it.
• Wiki’s are “Open” so people don’t write things they probably shouldn’t have to begin with.
• Wiki’s promote people to stick with the facts, and stay away from lengthy political discussion.

However, neither Wiki’s or email address some other bastions of corporate waste, Meetings!

• Decision making:  Andrew McAfee has an interesting article that recognizes decision making as separate from information itself.
• Brainstorming:  Meetings can be (although most aren’t) very effective at brainstorming.