The Evolution of Communication
As I began reading Chapter 1 of James Hoggan's I'm Right and You're an Idiot, I automatically pictured how people have been heavily influenced by digital technology. In today's society, people are surrounded by different forms of technology. Smartphones, tablets, television, and computers consume our daily lives. We complete coursework on computers, contact our friends on smartphones, send emails through tablets, and watch movies through television screens. People that have access to the internet are able to retrieve and post information in a matter of seconds. These forms of technology have allowed people to be capable of reaching information from across the globe, as well as have discussions with others that are far away. While technology has brought people these positive aspects, technology has influenced one major aspect: communication skills.
Our access to texting and social media has allowed us to sit behind a screen and form a set of text to send to another person. Sending messages has become so simple that people have created short-hand versions of words and statements, as well as Emojis that portray a person's emotion and/or reaction.
Our way of absorbing information has changed due to the use of digital technology. We sometimes read Emojis more than an actual person's facial expression. We type more messages than we communicate verbally. Do you believe digital technology will continue to alter our communication skills? If so, in what ways do you think our communication skills will change?
I think as the generations progress, people will began to speak less with words and more with gestures and expressions, kind of like human emojis. If you think about it, we've already headed down that path--today, a shrug will suffice as an answer, no words, no facial expression, just a shoulder movement. But that wouldn't have been an acceptable answer when my grandfather was in school... I'm personally awful at understanding emojis other than some of the faces, so if they become even more popular and more directly integrated into the written word, I'm totally doomed.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a moment, I recommend this Kimmel segment where people on the street try to guess phrases in emojis. The first man is totally me (interprets them very literally):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM709Cu0FFQ
It's important to note that most phrases were curse words or sexual content. I believe this is likely because Americans feel less pressured to be private about these things as Catholic Schools' attendance rates decline and the average American is far less secular (so, less likely to avoid using the Lord's name in vain or having sex before marriage). However, because print media and the written word often comes off as so formal in tone, it contrasts with the informal tones congruent with these themes. Therefore, emojis are a "fun" way to say something that doesn't fit the printed word.
Therefore, I think it' unlikely emojis will ever have a place in formal situations and dialogue because they're viewed as fun, goofy accessories with unbreakable sexual associations from both their appearance and contextual use, such as the peach or the eggplant... No explanation needed.
I believe digital technology will continue to alter how we communicate for a long time coming. The technology will just continue to advance, new things will be invented, and new slang created.
ReplyDeletePart of me takes issue with how much technology is used nowadays - I feel as though we are beginning to lost the true meaning of in-person communication, as all we ever do is call/text/email. I hope, for future generations, that the importance of in-person communication is never completely diminished.
With the evolution of technology, I predict that, eventually, we may not even use words (dramatic, I know). We've already created emojis which replace certain words/phrases...what is stopping us to create new things that do the same as emojis, but on a higher scale? As unfortunate as it is, I feel as though technology has lessened our desire for learning and intelligence; therefore, I worry that we will create anything we can to make life, and technological communication, even lazier than it already is.
The question that you pose is very interesting. Our usage of technology has increased the past two decades, but the pandemic has brought technological communication to a whole new level. I actually kind of answered this question in one of the midterm essay prompts.
ReplyDeleteI think technology has made us lazy and lethargic in our search for knowledge, but yet in some ways it has increased our communication. Technology has allowed us to remain in touch with relatives that we cannot see in-person, whether that be because of distance or social-distancing. However, at the same time, technology has weakened our verbal communication skills. Although we may have the right set of vocabulary for conversations, we are losing our physical voices since we no longer have to communicate with each other in-person. The concept of technology changing our way of communicating is fascinating because it increases our conversations, yet takes away the power in our voices.