In the corporate world, there is no ground more fertile for appearing smart than the rich earth that is electronic communication. Your email writing, sending and ignoring skills are just as important as your nodding skills, and even more important than your copying and pasting skills.

In this quote, Sarah Cooper humorously critiques the role of electronic communication in the corporate world, highlighting how it has become a fertile ground for appearing smart or competent. Cooper points out that the way people handle emails—writing, sending, and even ignoring them—has become a crucial part of professional life. She suggests that these skills have gained importance in the workplace, sometimes even more than other traditional skills, like nodding in meetings or simply copying and pasting information.

Cooper draws attention to how people often rely on email communication to manage their professional image. The ability to craft a polished email, respond at the right time, or even strategically ignore certain messages can contribute to how colleagues and superiors perceive someone's intelligence or work ethic. In this digital age, how well you navigate electronic communication often plays a significant role in your professional reputation and success.

The quote also touches on the sometimes performative nature of modern office culture. Cooper is commenting on the reality that, in many cases, workplace dynamics are influenced by appearances rather than substantive contributions. Just as nodding along in a meeting or copying and pasting work might not be deeply meaningful, managing emails and communication has become a way to project competence, even if the action itself is superficial.

Ultimately, Sarah Cooper’s quote is a satirical observation about how much weight is placed on email communication in the corporate world, making it an essential part of navigating workplace culture. It critiques the emphasis on digital interactions that often replace more meaningful or substantive professional skills, reflecting the growing influence of technology in shaping professional identity.