In another course I’m taking this semester, we read an article by Marshall McLuhan called “The Medium is the Message”. He argued the media affects our stream of consciousness without us realizing it. I think what he means by this is that we subconsciously accept certain things in our culture without question. One of the things this class has encouraged us to do is take a step back to recognize changes in technology and the impact it’s having on our lives. This is not to say that technology controls us or vice versa. Rather, it’s to understand how we use new media. Computer-mediated communication doom and gloom rhetoric is hyperbole that distracts us from the truth of the matter. CMC won’t be the downfall of the world anymore than the television, the landline phone or the written word was.  New technology is part of the inevitable course of the advancement of our society. This is not intrinsically good or bad.

CMC can make our lives easier and more stressful at the same time. We have access to more information than ever before. Solving a problem can be as easy as pulling up a browser on your phone, laptop or PC and typing in a topic of interest in a search engine. Thanks to wireless and satellite technology, we are constantly connected to our networks, which have become more individualized. It’s easier to stay in touch with remote friends and relatives. It’s also easier to stay plugged in to work and school from home. Conversely, more is expected of us because of these constant connections. The stakes have been raised in our personal and professional relationships. The demands on our time are growing, and we have to oblige if we want to keep up the pace. Otherwise, we risk losing friends or falling behind at school and work.

It’s important to remember that all good things come in moderation. Computers and mobile phones are wonderful devices. Studies show that a large percentage of people have access to and use new technology in some capacity. As with anything else, however, you have to be careful not to let it run your life. It’s good to unplug sometimes. It’s good to experience the moment the old fashion way. As CMC continues to trend toward the ordinary, I hope the next generations will not be as infatuated with it as we were. It will become a part of their lives, but I hope it doesn’t consume their lives. With a daughter on the way, I’ll be interested to see how her generation uses the technology. Of course, it’s inevitable that a radically new technology will emerge at some point, and the cycle will begin anew.