During the last few years, many pundits have written articles and blog posts about the death of email. Yet, starting earlier this year we’ve had a plethora of industry folks (including yours truly) declaring that email is, in fact, alive and well.

In a small but poignant example of why I continue to be bullish on email's future, I look no further than the October 2008 issue of the AARP Bulletin. (Okay, you 20- and 30-somethings please refrain from any jokes—and if you didn’t know, AARP stands for American Association of Retired Persons, and you only need to be age 50 to be a member.)

On the cover of AARP's most recent monthly paper bulletin, it prominently promoted the option to read the bulletin online and receive notices via email.

The headline on the bulletin and landing page was "THINK GREEN," but my hunch is this: In addition to the "green" benefits, AARP wants to seize an opportunity to reduce printing and mailing costs and to provide channel options for their members.

But, it is also a recognition that a large percentage of the Baby Boomer generation and beyond is extremely comfortable in a digital world, and, in many cases, prefers to receive communications in an electronic format.

I know what you are thinking. My 14-year-old daughter, who seemingly spends half of her waking hours texting her friends, will not adopt email the way we no-hair/gray-hair types have. For personal communications, I couldn't agree more. Texting, social networks and IM are replacing email. But, various studies still show that email is the number-one preferred method to receive communications from businesses, even for the Facebook generation.

Check back in 10 years, when my daughter hits the workforce, and we'll see if this remains true.

Now, I need to check my email and then take a nap <grin>. Oh yes, and anybody who snickered at me for belonging to AARP, trust me on this… your invitation to join is a lot closer than you think.

Until next time…