According to Rainie, Wellman, Baym and other communication researchers, the notion that CMC users spend the majority of their time alone in dark rooms with their computers is a myth. Baym claims that most people use texting, email, social networking sites, etc. to enhance their face-to-face relationships, not to replace them. Rainie and Wellman make the case that people are not hooked on communication devices, but rather communication with each other. This is not a new trend, but the desire is now magnified more than ever before because of the fact that CMC and new technology afford us the opportunity to communicate faster, more often and with a wider of network of people.
Rainie and Wellman also introduce the idea of “networked individualism”. This concept suggests that the groups with which we identify with have become more personalized to each individual. Take, for instance, the example of mobile phones. According to the Lenhart study, approximately 75% of teens have cell phones. Regardless of our age, when we receive calls to our mobile phones, the calls come directly to us. Before the rise of cell phones, calls would come to our homes through a landline telephone. Our connection point then was part of a cohesive unit – the family. Now, we are each individual units and can customize our networks accordingly. Wellman had a funny example during his commentary on Wisconsin public radio: If Romeo and Juliet had mobile phones, they’d probably still be alive.
One of the issues that Baym and others discussed on WBUR Boston public radio was the fear that CMC is ruining our abilities to communicate with each other in real life, face-to-face situations. One of the callers remarked it’s sad to see five individuals seated around a conference table at work, all looking at their cell phones and not talking. Baym challenged this caller and said she couldn’t imagine this would ever happen unless there was a break of some sort. She also argued against the idea that we are drastically different people online vs. offline. Although our methods of communication might be slightly different, we’re still speaking English and still relating to one another in similar ways.
Wellman, Baym, and others remarked that many of the common fears about new technology are fears as old as time. People are always afraid something new is going to destroy our current way of life, whether it’s writing letters, watching television or communicating via the internet. Yet, here we are today, still functioning and still communicating. It’s up to individuals to find balance in the time they spend communicating online and face-to-face. But this is no different than finding balance in our study and television watching habits or something else of the like. One day, these days will be the good old days.
Good post! I do agree one days these days will be the good old days and with the increase of technology that may be sooner than we think. I have yet to see how texting, email, social networking sites, etc. enhance face to face relationships because people rarely communicate face to face. Have you ever walked in a room that was full of people but everyone was typing and communicating on their phone as if they were in the room alone.
I have seen many times a room with people all on their phones or other sort of technologies. For the most part their heads are down in their phones, but some do try and communicate face to face. I think, it would be the same thing if they did not have the cell phones in their hands, the rooms would still be for the most part quiet, but cell phones are a scapegoat to have something to do with the awkward silence.
Martha, I love your example of the waiting room. This awkward silence used to be filled with magazines provided by the doctors office and now we fill this time with surfing the web, texting, emailing, watching Netflix, etc. I doubt that anyone used the doctors waiting room as an opportunity to meet new people, but maybe now we are using the opportunity to catch up with friends via text or check the latest news.
Great point Martha – and I think that’s exactly what Baym was getting at the in example Tim used. We like to think there was this time “in the good old days” where everyone was social all the time – but really that’s not the case. I think the doctor’s office is a great point – what is the difference between looking at a magazine and looking at a cell phone? Nobody talks about how magazines are ruining communication, do they? (And frankly, I can find much more interesting stuff on my phone than in most of the magazines at my doctor’s office!)
I was shocked at how so many teens had cell phones at relatively young ages. This could prove to be either disastrous or beneficial to the future of our society. There have been counts for both sides, but it is still difficult to determine whether the pros outweigh the cons or vice versa. However, like you stated in your blog, today’s communication technology could have really helped out people such as Romeo and Juliet. It could have helped them dodge some of the fatal occurances mentioned in their story. My family fully supports the use of cell phones and we put them to use to notify one another of departure, safe arrival, etc..
I like the complex simplicity of your interpretation. It is true, like many enduring issues, that life is about balance. As long as we are slightly mindful of our absorption, we can level ourselves accordingly. This brings up the point of agency. We all have a personal responsibility to exercise our willpower, to balance our time and actions sensibly.