Technology - What's harmful and what's beneficial?

One problem I've been having lately: If "technology" diminishes the quality of face-to-face communication, why haven't other (older) technologies done the same? How DOES technology diminish the quality of communication?

Factors:

- Types of technology used for communication

• Computers
  • Webcam
    • Skype
    • There are people who I feel much more connected to when I can actually see their face and talk to them. These are usually the people who don't say much in texting or instant message, whether it's due to laziness or multitasking.
  • Instant message
    • I've had very long and in depth conversations in IM and I sometimes find it easier to collect my thoughts when I'm writing them down and can revise them and reference exactly what I said earlier. These conversations range from political and ethical discussions, romantic declarations, talking about mental health issues, etc. Particularly useful for things that are difficult to say out loud.
  • Email
    • I save a lot of my emails that have actual content in them. Some of my emails are questions like "Can I come over on Tuesday?" "Okay!" But others are more in depth, the same quality someone would expect from a mailed letter. The only difference is that free internet is easier to find than free stamps and thus is cheaper and more accessible.
  • Social networking sites
    • Facebook, myspace
    • More useful for seeing what's up in someone's life without actually having to interact with them. Wish them "happy birthday!" when Facebook reminds to you on their sidebar. Look at status posts, information about their jobs or education, relationship status, what events they might be attending or have attended, photos of them, artwork they've done.. and countless other information
  • Blogs
    • Blogspot, tumblr, livejournal, xanga
      • Other good way to see how people are doing without them knowing. Blog posts may be in a diary style or they might just be pictures of things they like. Oh, I didn't know you liked that tv show! Oh cool, so you're into poetry by this author?
  • Cybersex
    • Dating websites?
    • Is dating someone online satisfying? Is it an emotional relationship, cybersex, or both?
      • Is cybersex satisfying?
• Phones
  • Phone calls
    • Anywhere from "Did you remember to buy celery?" to two hour phone conversations
  • Text message
  • Video/pic message
  • "Sexting"
  • Phone interviews
    • Can you get a good sense of someone's character just through what they can convey through voice?
    • Elimination of body language, eye contact, focus (fidgeting)
• Letters
  • Mailing in resumes or cover letters
  • Slower than email
  • Pay for stamps
  • I can't read your handwriting!
  • Material object
  • Can send other material objects with letters (package, gift, stickers)
  • Decorated paper/stationary

- Who we are communicating with

• Distance (geographical)
  
  • Down the hall or across the country?
• Closeness of relationship
  • Are you very close? Are you drifting apart due to factors other than geographical distance?
• Relation to person
  • Mother, father, daughter, son, sibling, cousin, aunt, uncle, grandparents, lover, friend-with-benefits, boyfriend, girlfriend, partner, husband, wife? None of the above?

- Access to these technologies

• Is there an issue of class or cost that affects who uses which technology more?

- Speed of interaction

• Can they type faster than you?
• Can they text faster than you?
• Is their internet connection better than yours?
• Are letters being delivered on time? How do you anticipate the delivery of a letter without talking to them otherwise?

- Why have you resorted to using this technology?

• Scheduling/time conflicts
• Multitasking
• Convenience
• Price
• Accessibility
• Speed

Any thoughts?