The overall message is that technology has created a faster way for us to communicate with family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers in many forms. Also, the degree of disclosure is more in our power when communication is not face to face. We tend to disclose more in person at once than we do on line. There are positives and negatives of communicating in a virtual world. Positives are like the story of Peter and Trudy (Rainie & Wellman 2012 Ch.1) their story took a tragedy and through the power of technology sending a photo of Trudy in such a traumatic state caused people to act in ways of kindness and come together.
On the flip side others have become more isolated and lost in the virtual world almost loosing touch with reality. The example that comes to mind for me is the MTV show Catfish, which I recently watched a few episodes of over the weekend. Some individuals feel that online communication is a new beginning they create a “new” image but in the end they are who they are which leads to depression, shame, and isolation.
Most of the information elaborated on topics that I had scratched the surface on, I like the story of Peter and Trudy because it is positive and is a reminder that technology can be of great POSITIVE power if people use it in that manner.
Most of the findings support my personal usage because I am a networked individual I am on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and utilize e-mail heavily! However, I do use each social site in waves and try not to have the same friends on every website, that way I don’t get overloaded with the same thoughts of others multiple times. In addition, I find myself using multiple gadgets to do the same functions.
Example: Today there was a mix up in my PR Class for the group discussion summary. I checked my e-mail on my MAC, then forwarded that message to my personal Yahoo email, then through checking online on my smartphone logged into myMemphis account for updated messages, and then forwarded the yahoo email to my work email to communicate with the group submission contact. WHEW.. as you can see I was all over the place for one task. So I can agree with some points of technology being really distracting and segmented.
Staying connected. I recently moved from my hometown and I must say to share things with my family instantly is the primary reason for my Facebook. Secondly, I am a mother of two children that are on line 14 YO and 11 YO tomorrow! So I have to stay up with the times to monitor what they are doing on line as well. The readings were interesting and very true to my use of technology.
You make an interesting point about becoming isolated and lost in virtual worlds. Clearly Baym and Wellman believe that this fear is overblown and that CMC actually enhances our face-to-face relationships. In some respects, I think they’re right. But going back to the self-presenation and self expression studies, I also think social networking sites and certain other forms of CMC provide unique opportunities to create new, sometimes false (ala Catfish) images online. I wouldn’t call this an epidemic, but it’s certainly a real issue.
You’re definitely a network individual. I do feel we all should stay knowledgeable with technology especially if we have children. You states you try not to have all the same friends in order not to get overloaded with the same thoughts but do not feed that you get overloaded with all these sites and technology itself?
I don’t really get overwhelmed with the sites and technology. I was pointing out importance in audiences and information received through the internet should be diverse to avoid closed mindedness.
In chapter 6, Baym, said that she is been using interent for twenty years but she only had one close friend ( her Sweedish boyfriend ), which means that it is really hard to get into a real and strong relationship online which is so true. She also mentioned that the first time she had a face-to-face contact with him after 6 months. You rarely can find someone who really can be a good match for you and have a lot of things in common with you. Besides, people can fake everything online and you won’t know it because you can’t see their facial expressions.But I am a mother of two 11, and 8 and I have to monitor my kids as well; therefore, I should be like you familiar with all the devices they are using. Kids are smarter than we think and can learn things faster than us, aren’t they?
100% they are smarter than we think! I would rather go with the grain than against it. The reality is the kids will get online somehow and somewhere. That is why I choose to link up with them online and if I see something questionnable I address it with them right away!
I agree with you in that technology has allowed us to communicate with people of interest at a much faster and easier rate. This enables us to let our family members and friends know where we are at all times. Unfortunately, some people can easily misuse and/or take advantage of today’s technology. For example, if someone posts an angry blog about someone on Facebook, it could result in hurt feelings or unalterable damage to someone’s reputation. This is why people must be mindful of what they post online, because once it’s “up there”, they can’t take it back.
What I found so interesting about the story of Peter and Trudy was that they were both so anti-networking previous to her accident. They were a couple who stayed pretty off the grid, but when they needed help, it was an online community that rallied to support them. I just really liked the fact that their first real encounter with an extended internet community was one of such positivity and strength.
I also used to get overloaded by the same posts and pictures when I had multiple social networks with the same friends on each one. I have never understood why someone would need to have the same picture tweeted and posted to Instagram at the same time they uploaded it to Facebook!
Technoology definitely helps us stay connected to those we feel are important to us. The interesting statement about your blog is that you feel we get lost in a virtual world. I guess we fear that face to face conversations may become akward and we would not know have to have a meaningful conversation without texting it to someone. Sometimes it is just easier to get a point acroos. But good opinion in your blog.