Letters show McQuaid’s astounding arrogance

LETTER-writing is in danger of obsolescence and ‘hard copy’ communication is dwindling rapidly.

The powerful now zap off emails, text messages and make mobile calls to minions and yes-people to ensure their ‘will be done’ (cf The Lord’s Prayer), asap.

The instantaneity and seeming disposability of modern communications will pose particular problems for old-school historians of the future seeking tangible documentary evidence of how power works in particular ways, in particular places, at particular times.