The Anatomy of an E-Mail Chain Reaction

Step 1: Initial Contact

A person, let's call them "Alice," reaches out to a friend, "Bob," with a question or inquiry that requires a response.

Step 2: Response Eruption

Bob responds, and his response contains a question or a request for clarification.

Step 3: Chain Reaction Initiation

Alice responds to Bob's response, and her response contains another question or a request for information.

This is the point of no return. The e-mail chain reaction has begun, and it will not stop until one of the parties involved gets tired of responding.

Learn more about Chain Reaction Maintenance.

Discover the art of Chain Reaction Escalation.

Read about Chain Reaction Syndrome, a condition that may afflict anyone who participates in such exchanges.