The Vanishing Signature

Signing a document electronically today is boring and uneventful. For the most part, gone are the days of physically holding a document, turning the pages while reading, and getting to the last page where you pickup a pen and write your name in your best cursive to make your mom and third grade teacher proud. Today we scroll, apply fake initials exactly where they need to be in the document, and the apply a fake cursive name to the signature line that doesn't look anything like our true handmade signature. What was once a ceremony of sorts for every document signed is now a click and move along to the next thing.

Today's high school athletes who are fortunate enough to get offered the opportunity to play a sport in college have what is known as "signing day". They typically sign a national letter of intent sitting at a table surrounded by their coach, parents, and possibly the college coach. It's a ceremony. It generates feelings of commitment. And its personal since the athlete is using their signature.

At the national and global levels we see signing ceremonies with politicians, presidents, and heads of state. A physical act of signing ones signature to show the agreement and commitment of a country. It will forever be a historical reminder of the event.

Unfortunately in the business world, given the propensity to want an electronic signature on documents today, there is going to be a generation that grows up never developing their own signature because it will always be electronic. While I understand the efficiencies that are gained by electronically signing a document, the individuality of a signature and the ceremony surrounding the event, regardless of how big or small, will be missed. I guess the alternative is to hold up the computer screen you just electronically signed to the camera and smile.