New technology generates in society the realization that new heights of accomplishments are achievable. However, with every new technological achievement there is a downside. The birth and development of computer mediated communication (CMC) systems is not the exception. CMC has undoubtedly captivated our society while at the same time creating new reasons for fear. Will it lose its appeal and fascination with time?
It is undeniable that the astounding growth in CMC use has resulted in great benefits to our society. It is difficult to imagine a successful research project without the expeditious speed and exhaustive resource that the Internet offers. Internet technology has become so important that its influence on the outcome of our last presidential election is undeniable. Today, it affects almost every aspect of society. Some dare to conclude that without the Internet, life as we currently know it would disappear to the disappointment of humanity.
It is undeniable, however, that with all the advantages the Internet offers us, it has brought along disadvantages that some find very concerning, and in some cases frustrating. Children are victims, identities are stolen, privacy is at risk, and targeted databases threaten to cripple large corporations and even governments. Yet, this is not CMC systems’ biggest threat.
I agree with Susan Herring that CMC’s biggest threat is the extensive familiarity of its users with the system. On page 33 of her article she writes: “CMC has become more of a practical necessity than an object of fascination and fetish”. This familiarity threatens to push this system into the land of great to remember antiques without a functional purpose. However, the continuous efforts of visionaries and technological designers continually simplifying the system and increasing its fascination with new technologies will guarantee many years of positive contribution to our society.
Herring also pointed out on page 33 that despite new technology, CMC remains grounded in old textual practices. That’s an interesting point. Even as technology evolves, the foundation of how we live and operate really doesn’t change. We use different communicative tools today than were used 100 years ago, but have our actions really changed?
Since she wrote that article, video conferencing (Skype) has become a lot more popular, but text is still very much dominant. As we get into the next module on language, however, what we will see is that how we use that text is changing.
I can’t disagree with your statements, Erica. CMC has brought both good and bad changes to everyday life. The same technology that allows us to converse with someone halfway across the globe could give thieves easy access to our identities. Your observations were pretty much right on the money. You and Susan Herring seem to share concern for CMC.
I also found it very interesting about how technology must continually evolve in order to keep everyone’s interest. It made me think of iPhones- as soon as my friends got the iPhone 4, they announced the iPhone 5, and all of a sudden everyone was dissatisfied with the $650 they had just waited hours in line to spend. Our society pushes dissatisfaction and instant gratification, and we are trained to never be happy with something unless it is the newest and the greatest.
My husband and I recently organized a youth event in town, and we gave out a free iPad Mini. In marketing this event, we talked to a 9th grade girl, and she said (with much attitude): “Like I want that! I can just get it for Christmas!” This means that parents are feeding into this societal mindset by making their children feel like they *deserve* these things, not that they should earn them.
I agree with your views and also with comments above. It is amazing to me how fast a new version of a phone, computer, or tablet is generated to keep us all a hook! Another facinating point is that the newer versions usually focus on speed. Aren’t we sending and receiving messages and communicating fast enough through the networks we already have? In comparison to Dial up we have advanced immensly. However, I worry about the focus on speed. We tend to miss details when we are moving too fast.
Thank you for the post.
With all the new technology that has come out, identity theft has definitely become a huge problem. You always have to be on the look out for bogus sites and you never give your credit card numbers or personal information to anyone that emails you. We can take precautions but I hate to say we are probably not going to be 100% safe though online.
I agree that the biggest fear is that THIS IS our new norm. It is not fascinating anymore. Will it ever be fascinating again? What will have to be created in our technology based world to fascinate us?