The Evolution of Communication

[blackson]

Often times when I'm on my computer, my parents will tell me how sad it is that I have no social life. However, I'm on aim, and the forums, talking with many more people then I would be able to away from the computer.

Is that a good thing? Is IM'ing 20 people at once rather then having a face to face conversation a step forward, or backwards? I've noticed while going to school on the bus, everyone has iPods in, or some form of music. Two people sitting next to each other maybe exchange two words with each other in a twenty minute ride. Back before iPod's, this was not the case. Texting is a handy form of communication at times, but it has totally killed phone conversations. No kids I know really talk on the phone anymore.

Is technology enhancing sociology, or killing it?

[Erik-Player]

I say killing it. You can't get the full impact of what someone says. Someone may emphasize on a word but you don't know so you get the wrong message. Going with me?

[blackson]

I agree. It would be best to have a happy medium. Sometimes texting, or IM'ing is the best thing. When it's not, go farking see who you want to talk to. At this rate, people are going to be going on dates via webcam.

Please don't swear in Debate when it's not needed. - Twisty

[Kablizzy]

If you do it right, it enhances social interaction. But for the most part, it only makes social settings that much more implausible.

[Erik-Player]

If you do it right, it enhances social interaction. But for the most part, it only makes social settings that much more implausible.

Spot on.

[a happy song]

If you do it right, it enhances social interaction. But for the most part, it only makes social settings that much more implausible.

I'm with that!

[TribulatioN]

Don't forget that if you're too drawn into the cyberways of communication, you might become more nervous face to face, and that could seriously screw around with your relationships.

But I'd say that it's perfectly normal to talk through the Internet, cause you're still yourself right? Unless it's your alter-ego talking on the Internet, then that might be a problem.

[blue_tetris]

Yeah, the Internet gives people false expectations about real communication.

[blackson]

Yeah, the Internet gives people false expectations about real communication.

Hmm...

Maybe that's a true statement.

[MattKestrel]

Yeah, the Internet gives people false expectations about real communication.

Yeah, I agree with that too. The distinction has to be made between talking via forums and actually talking to someone.

[NicNac14]

It depends where..
I socialise alot.. and i must say I have a bit more friends that are girls than boys in the real world..
on my bus we chat alot face to face and its often 7-10 people in that conversation..
when alone.. and don't have the chance to get together and talk I find its fine to chat on irc or something..
I was at a party once (actually quite often..) any way at that party.. well , it was rather sad but everybody was on their fone chatting to the person right next to them.. very sad indeed..
I mean c'mon why waste money to say hi by fone when you can go up to them and give them a hug and say hi .. is it worth it?
i think not..
on a social occasion i think its stupid to be on the fone but while alone its fine...
like now.. I hope..

[Tanner]

My greatest dislike as far as changes in communication caused by technology are concerned is the fact that it seems to have left everyone unable to spell basic words.

Phone. It's spelled phone. Not "fone".

srsly tho. it sux

[jackass]

My greatest dislike as far as changes in communication caused by technology are concerned is the fact that it seems to have left everyone unable to spell basic words.

Phone. It's spelled phone. Not "fone".

srsly tho. it sux

Im guessing you purposly mispelled "seriously though, it sucks" after correcting nicnac14 in fone (phone)?

And i think its alright to socialise over internet and stuff as long as your alone like nicnac said
but sometimes when i have a mate around we both sit on the computer on msn chatting to people but we still talk normally to eachother ... do you think thats ok?

[otters]

My greatest dislike as far as changes in communication caused by technology are concerned is the fact that it seems to have left everyone unable to spell basic words.

Phone. It's spelled phone. Not "fone".

srsly tho. it sux

Im guessing you purposly mispelled "seriously though, it sucks" after correcting nicnac14 in fone (phone)?

That's one heck of a conclusion.

I don't ever talk on the phone. Ever. I talk in person, a lot. The only time it's awkward is when I'm talking to people who are a couple years older than me (e.g. juniors and seniors) at school.
I text when at home...my sister often texts me telling me to get off the piano because it's annoying her. (She's psycho, but I guess it's reasonable.) I also Facebook chat for a large chunk of my life, since I never stray from the computer except on weekends and when going to school.

[Kablizzy]

My greatest dislike as far as changes in communication caused by technology are concerned is the fact that it seems to have left everyone unable to spell basic words.

Phone. It's spelled phone. Not "fone".

srsly tho. it sux

Im guessing you purposly mispelled "seriously though, it sucks" after correcting nicnac14 in fone (phone)?

BAHAHAHAGAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AHAHAAHHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAAAA!!!

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAGAHAAHAHA!

[otters]

My greatest dislike as far as changes in communication caused by technology are concerned is the fact that it seems to have left everyone unable to spell basic words.

Phone. It's spelled phone. Not "fone".

srsly tho. it sux

Im guessing you purposly mispelled "seriously though, it sucks" after correcting nicnac14 in fone (phone)?

BAHAHAHAGAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AHAHAAHHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAAAA!!!

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAGAHAAHAHA!

I rest my case, sir.

[origami_alligator]

What I see happening here is just the next step of communication.

As far as I think most of us can tell, a lot of our history was passed down verbally. There was only the means for verbal communication anyway.

Then we hit "the dawn of history" as some people call it, because this is when Sumer created a written language. Something more concrete than verbal communication, each symbol had a certain sound and from that point on history has been passed down as both verbal and symbolic versions.

Now we're at a point where verbal communication isn't as easily accessible as symbolic communication. We can send letters and words much easier than talking to another person. Symbolic communication allows you to have some time to think about what you're going to say before you say it.

I dunno, it seems pretty okay with me. I agree with rennaT though, people need spell-checkers on everything these days.

[Sockmonkey]

The way I interact over the internet is much different to how I interact with I see my friends face to face. I would much rather see people face to face than talk to twice as many people over the internet.

Because of where I live it isn't always possible to cycle 10 miles to a friends house after school and then cycle back when it's dark, so for me communicating through technology is - although least preferred - used often.

When combining technology with the old face to face social aspects I feel that technology is increasing peoples social interaction, but when only technology is used it will 'disable' the user from holding real life conversations.

[otters]

Because of where I live it isn't always possible to cycle 10 miles to a friends house after school and then cycle back when it's dark.

Exactly my problem. I live in a different county from all of my friends because of the location of my school, so I never get to socialize.

[乳头的早餐谷物]

I haven't spoken to anyone in over three years. My jaw has decayed and I find it difficult to utter simple phonemes.

srsly tho. it sux

[BNW]

I've never been that good at socializing to many kids at once. Most of my life, I've had maybe 4 or 5 friends at the most that I hang out with. Finding this community may have actually boosted me socializing.

Technology, I think, hasn't deterred anyone from social communication, it has only created a means of reducing the amount of effort it takes to have a conversation with someone.

[jean-luc]

Although I think web-based communication is the next step in the process of communications, it is an extension of face-to-face communications, not a replacement for them. As humans, we still have an inate desire to meet face-to-face. It is often, however, simpler and more practical to communicate via the internet.

Living in a major city, almost all of my friends live within walking distance, and I can get to any of their houses via bus (and buses aren't considered 'ghetto' here in Portland like they seem to be in other places - everyone rides them), and I see most of them every day at my school. Nonetheless I still talk to them all the time via Google Talk or whatever.
I have other friends in foreign countries. It's obviously impractical to walk over to their houses (the nearest foreign country is 300 miles away...), so I communicate with them exclusively via the internet. This seems fine too.

Also, I hate talking on the phone. I'm really awkward on the phone, so I always avoid it. I much prefer email or IM, both in personal and business communications.

[scythe]

I tend to be more direct and honest on the Internet than in real life. In real life, there's sometimes the factor of "they might be ridiculous fundies, but it's Thanksgiving dinner and they're my family and I don't want to ruin that".
As a consequence, I think people like me more on the Internet.

[SkyPanda]

I prefer real-life communication.. on the internet, I always feel pressured to speak ultra formally because "haha good one dude that rox love ya" isn't really respected so much maybe? Real life communication is so more relaxed and enjoyable.. and extra things like facial expressions and body language and tone mean that its easier to understand people.. on the internet it's so easy to completely misunderstand people.

I would hate to think that technological communication is the 'end' or 'destination' of the evolution of communication.. face-to-face is the way to go. You can't high-five someone over the internet.

[Tanner]

I would hate to think that technological communication is the 'end' or 'destination' of the evolution of communication.. face-to-face is the way to go. You can't high-five someone over the internet.

You've obviously never been in Vent while everyone has their uStream going. You still can't high-five someone but you can do most things.