Email signatures are harming the planet and could cost people their lives — it’s time to stop using them
theconversation.com
It’s time to retire the email signature and take a hard look at improving our communication efficiency.

Edit: A lot of people seem to hate on the article without reading it.

Here is a supporting scientific source, by the same author: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825000863

The environmental impact of our online habits is far larger than most realize, and as digital communication continues to evolve, we must consider its long-term consequences on the environment and human life. We should take the easy steps of cutting wasteful energy use in our communications and it can start with eliminating email signatures.

  • Remember_the_tooth@lemmy.worldEnglish
    50·
    11 hours ago

    With the utmost respect, appreciation, and sincere best wishes for a truly incredible day,

    [Your Full Name, Including Middle Name, Nickname, or Any Honorifics]
    [Your Official Job Title, with Certifications, Degrees, and Accolades]
    [Your Company Name, Including Any Official Slogan or Motto]

    📧 Email: [your.email@example.com]
    ☎ Work Phone: [Your Work Phone Number]
    📱 Mobile: [Your Mobile Number]
    📠 Fax: [Your Fax Number (even if nobody uses fax anymore)]
    🏢 Office Address: [Your Full Office Address, Including Building Name, Floor, and Suite Number]
    🌐 Website: [Your Company or Personal Website URL]

    Professional & Social Media Profiles:
    🔹 LinkedIn: [Your LinkedIn Profile URL]
    🔹 Twitter/X: [Your Twitter/X Handle]
    🔹 Instagram: [Your Instagram Handle]
    🔹 Facebook: [Your Facebook Profile or Business Page]
    🔹 GitHub/Portfolio: [Your GitHub or Portfolio Website]
    🔹 YouTube Channel: [Link to Your Channel, Even if It’s Just Cat Videos]
    🔹 TikTok: [Because Why Not?]
    🔹 Reddit: [If You Want People to Know You Lurk There]

    About Me:
    💼 Years of Experience: [Your Number of Years] in [Your Industry or Field]
    🏆 Awards & Achievements: [List Any Noteworthy Accomplishments]
    📜 Certifications & Credentials: [List Any Professional Certifications, Degrees, or Licenses]
    📚 Favorite Quote: “[Insert Inspirational Quote That May or May Not Be Relevant to Your Work]”

    Company Information & Mission Statement:
    At [Your Company], we are committed to providing unparalleled excellence in [Your Industry], ensuring quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Our mission is to redefine industry standards by embracing cutting-edge technology, ethical business practices, and a relentless pursuit of success.

    🌍 Company Values:
    ✔ Integrity | ✔ Innovation | ✔ Collaboration | ✔ Customer-Centric Excellence

    🏆 Recent Company Achievements:

    • Voted “Best in [Your Industry]” by [Some Organization]
    • Ranked Top [Whatever] in [Some List or Award]
    • Proudly Serving [Number] Clients Across [Number] Countries

    Availability & Business Hours:
    📅 Standard Business Hours:
    Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Your Time Zone)
    Saturday – Sunday: Available by Appointment or Chance

    ⌚ Response Time:
    I generally respond within [X] hours, unless I am trapped in a meeting, fighting Wi-Fi demons, or taking a much-needed coffee break.

    Fun Facts & Personal Tidbits:
    ☕ Coffee Intake Per Day: [Ridiculous Number of Cups]
    🎸 Hobbies: [Playing Guitar, Skydiving, Collecting Weird Socks—Whatever Fits You]
    🐶 Pets: [Your Pet’s Name & Type] (Yes, they probably appear in Zoom calls.)
    🛸 Conspiracy Theory I Secretly Believe: [Aliens Exist? The Moon Landing Was Filmed in a Studio?]

    Legal & Compliance Notices:
    ⚠ Confidentiality Notice:
    This email and any attachments may contain privileged, confidential, or top-secret information. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete it immediately, notify the sender, and pretend you never saw it. Unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is strictly prohibited.

    💸 No Liability Disclaimer:
    Nothing in this email constitutes legally binding agreements, financial advice, medical advice, or life coaching. Read at your own risk.

    📢 Opinions Expressed Disclaimer:
    All views and opinions expressed in this email are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer, my colleagues, or my pet goldfish, Gerald.

    🖨 Printing Disclaimer:
    Think before you print! Save trees. Save ink. Save the planet. Unless, of course, you are printing this as a work of art.

    Motivational Section (Because Why Not?)
    🚀 Daily Reminder: You are capable, brilliant, and unstoppable! Chase your dreams, break barriers, and make a positive impact.

    🔥 Final Thought:
    “In a world where you can be anything, be kind. But also be someone who gets their email signature noticed.”

    Final Closing Statement (For Dramatic Effect):
    If you made it this far, congratulations! You have officially read the longest, most excessive email signature in existence. Feel free to copy, share, and modify, but remember—with great signature power comes great responsibility.