The Evolution of Communication: From Telus Towers to Memes and Voice Notes
When I think about how far communication has come, I can’t help but go back to my childhood, and to Telus, a company that played a big role not just in Canadian telecom history, but in my family’s story.
Growing Up with Telus
Telus wasn’t just another telecom brand to me. It started as a government initiative, Alberta’s way of privatizing its telephone services by transforming Alberta Government Telephones into the Telus holding company. My dad actually worked there. First at Ed Tel, which was Edmonton’s telephone provider before being acquired, and later at Telus itself.
That meant I grew up watching the company from the inside.
I’ll never forget visiting the Telus towers as a kid. Walking through those offices felt like stepping into the future. And I still remember the first time I saw a color printer there. I know it sounds silly today, but back then, printing in color was groundbreaking. For me, that moment symbolized Telus as a company that was always pushing the limits of innovation.
From Landlines to the Metaverse
Communication didn’t stop at color printers. Over the years, I’ve watched it evolve firsthand:
Landline telephones
Internet and email
Text messaging
Social media
Wearables and the rise of the metaverse
Each stage reshaped the way we connect, making communication faster, more visual, and far more complex.
Memes: Today’s Cultural Currency
One of the funniest, and most fascinating, developments has been the rise of memes.
Think about it: memes are now one of the most powerful communication tools in our culture. They’re quick, visual, layered with meaning, and they spread across the internet faster than any press release ever could.
Memes aren’t just jokes. They’ve become a kind of cultural currency, shaping how we talk, laugh, and even protest.
From Voicemails to Voice Notes
Another shift I’ve been fascinated by is the evolution of voice. Remember voicemails? They were once the height of personal communication. But today, they feel outdated. Instead, we have voice notes, short, raw, and instant.
But here’s where it gets interesting: there’s a generational divide. Millennials often find long voice notes frustrating (who wants to listen to a five-minute ramble?). Meanwhile, Gen Z embraces them as a normal, even intimate, way to connect. It’s a reminder that every generation redefines what normal communication looks like.
What It All Means for the Future
Looking back at Telus and looking forward at where communication is headed, one lesson stands out: communication is always evolving.
From landlines to memes, from voicemails to the metaverse, the tools keep changing, but the desire to connect stays the same. The challenge for us, whether as individuals or organizations, is to stay flexible and open to those changes.
Final Thoughts
For me, communication has always been personal. It’s about nostalgia, visiting my dad at Telus. It’s about culture, the rise of memes as a new language. And it’s about the future, figuring out how tools like AI and the metaverse will shape the way we connect next.
The only constant in communication is change. The ones who thrive will be those who can adapt, experiment, and find meaning in new ways to connect.
So let me ask you: what’s the biggest communication shift that’s shaped your life? Was it email, texting, memes, or those never- ending voice notes?
Frequently Asked Questions
1 - How has communication evolved over time?
Communication has moved from landline phones to email, texting, social media, memes, and now even voice notes and the metaverse. Each step has made connecting faster, more visual, and more personal.
2 - What was the greatest breakthrough in the field of communication?
The greatest breakthrough was the rise of the internet. It completely changed how we share information, connect with others, and build communities across the world.
3 - How did the rise of the internet transform communication?
The internet made communication instant and global. Instead of waiting for phone calls or letters, people could now send emails, chat in real-time, and later connect on social media.
4 - Which invention has greatly changed the way people communicate with each other?
Memes and voice notes have become game-changers. Memes turned into a cultural language, while voice notes gave us a quick, personal way to connect without writing.
About the Author:
Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.