You're absolutely right. They say a picture is worth a thousand words - animated gifs even more so. I could almost imagine a world where animated gifs replace all kinds of communication. Press releases seem particularly ripe for change as they are usually wordsmithed to the point that any impression given is likely false.

> I could almost imagine a world where animated gifs replace all kinds of communication.

I can envision it too. Looks something like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiocracy

Just pictured in my head a modern day "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra" moment where Picard instead has to learn to speak in animated gifs.