4. Questions for Consideration
Posted October 11th, 2007 by Rachel Smith
4. Questions for Consideration
The evolution of communication raises questions about the nature of interpersonal interactions, the attractions and pitfalls of online communication, and the potential loss of traditional modes of contact. We invite you to consider these questions—and to pose your own—as you think about the changing nature of communication:
- Is the nature of the way people relate to each other actually undergoing a change because of online communication? Or is interpersonal communication still essentially the same, with online modes of communication simply offering new opportunities for us to communicate (and miscommunicate)?
- Why is online communication even appealing? What makes people interested in the kinds of interaction that take place on Facebook, or in Second Life, or over Skype or Twitter? Why do people go online and talk to each other instead of doing something else, like cooking or watching television or skiing?
- What aspects of twentieth-century communication are replaced, and what is newly available because of online communication? Is anything lost as a result?
- How is the nature of communication likely to change in the near future—or is it? What is the difference in the effect or use of online communication on older generations versus younger ones?
The phenomenon described here is ongoing, and it is our hope that this conversation will include reflection on the current shape of online communication as well as speculation and thoughtful conjecture about the future.
The nature of communication
The nature of communication - the hope of connecting with another being through the channels of communication (verbal and non-verbal) is not changing. We still have the core need to connect with others. The way people relate to each other IS changing, as our world becomes global and we are able to connect and care for the needs of others in seconds. Humanity will increase as we connect and experience the needs of others. The nature of communication will change, as it has over the years, to sound bytes. These sound bytes will connect to create a new kind of fabric.
People want to connect with other humans, and social software provides many opportunities. Culturally, we have not always been able to talk about our interestes without sounding arrogant, and social spaces like MySpace allow people to share themselves without sounding selfish. People love reading diaries and, thus, blogs are popular because they are like reading the thoughts of others. WE are all looking for what connects us. For some, this is affirmation.
We lose humor and touch as a result of technological communication. We gain information and resources. In the future, these issues will work themselves out as new emoticons are created to reflect humor and touch.
There will be a great divide, as there is now in the academy, between those connected and those not connected. The gap will widen until the older generations retire and the young ones, the ones used to change, move into positions of leadership.