There are numerous new forms of technology in today’s world. While some people think those can help mankind move forward, others think they can potentially hurt the march of progress. Susan C. Herring stated her concerns on this matter in her article, which could potentially raise suspicion or concern as to where this increasing influence of modern technology could take mankind.
The individuals who state that the advancement in communication technology is a good thing have well-founded reasons to state why. These new forms of technology, including web chats and blogging, allow for us to communicate with people much further away. The benefits for this type of communication, while helpful, can potentially have its drawbacks.
There are numerous other people stating that technology could potentially replace face-to-face interaction between individuals and could eventually lead to social seclusion and isolation. Herring noted on page 7 how experience has taught many users to be more cautious of “what they say and do” while on-line. Some forms of technology, including internet pornography, have the potential to ruin relationships, even those as intimate as marriage. Personal Connections in the Digital Age, by Nancy K. Baym, gives examples of such occurrences. These include the rare but alarming potential of internet stalkers or rapists on dating websites.
Technology is so common place now that it is often taken for granted. On page 6 of Herring’s article, an interesting parallel is drawn between various “new” forms of technology and those that “came before”. As the latest generation noted in the same article, children tend to be the lost group to have drawn the same conclusion and, as such, have yet to grow tired of some of the newer technology. This is what I believe Herring meant in saying, “CMC tends to slouch towards the ordinary”.
I believe that technology has replaced face-to-face interaction in some ways as well as created seclusion and isolation. Technology has allows us to be able to live in this world and never really have to come into contact with or have a face-to-face contact with other people. We can do everything from our home without ever stepping foot outside. I do agree with Herring that experience has taught us to be more cautious but technology has also open the door to so many other things like hacking, identiy thief etc.
I think new technology certainly gives us the opportunity to further seclude and isolate ourselves, but it’s not the cause of that behavior. An outgoing individual, for example, is probably not going to become a recluse just because they have a computer at home and an iPhone. But someone who is at risk of becoming a recluse has a greater chance of isoloating themselves now because of CMC.
I agree with Tim. I think the technology enhances personality traits that already exist. If I am a boastful and outgoing individual in person, then my online persona is more likely to be that way as well, and I don’t believe it likely that it will replace my in person interactions. There is too much intrinsic value in those behaviors. However, a more introverted person would likely take advantage of the anonymity that CMC can provide.
I understand what Tim is saying but I do not agree that technology enhances someone’s already outgoing personality. I believe that trust is a problem on the internet because you run the risk of coming in contact with someone who is not who they say they are. Someone who is quiet becomes bold and outgoing on the internet because they can hide behind the computer screen.
Hello Jay,
I would say that everything has its advantages and disadvantages;therefore, whenever there is something new, in the beginning it will face a lot of critique from people until people experience it and get the benefit of it and get used to it. I also don’t belive that interenet can ruin the close relationships because if the relationship in the first place was strong like in the example of a married couple, nothing can ruin it. Those women who they find another lovers through the internet and ruined their marriages, their marriages was ruined before she start looking for someone else, whether through the use of internet or any other way.
I Would Agree with you Megan about an introverted person taking advantage of the ability of anonymity. I would have to disagree with the idea that a person could live excluded in their home with cmc technology. You have to interact with people face to face more than you think. Whether it is the doctor or people at the supermarket. Even though you might not have a detailed conversation you still have to communicate face to face with people.