Based on the studies, new technologies such as texts, blogs, and the internet have had massive influences on the lives of most people. According to Hall and Baym’s findings, there were 5 billion mobile connections around the world. This allowed owners of new technology to talk with multiple people almost constantly. However, the spread of new technology had mixed effects on people who possessed such capabilities. On one hand, it allowed for them to communicate with families, friends, or any other people of interest anytime no matter where they were. On the other hand, it transfixed most people and eventually became a major part of their lives. Most people even admitted to not being able to go a day without some form of new technology, according to Hall and Baym’s notes.
The overall message of these readings is that new technologies have become so important to some individuals, that they would be lucky to go a day without any texting or blogging to other people. One specific finding in Ling’s article troubled me. It stated that teens in today’s society spend much more time texting each other than talking face-to-face. The statement in Ling’s article supported my fears of the effect that technology today can and has had on certain people. It can have a tragic impression on young people, as well as their families. For example, I know a young girl at my mom’s workplace who utters movie quotes most of the time. She almost never says anything relating to the current moment. Due to this possible side effect and other negative possibilities of current methods of non-personal communications, I would have to say that I am not a networked individual. I rarely use technology for other purposes rather than letting my family know where I am.
They also talked about people finding a balance between communicating online and face to face. It might be hard for some people to find that balance if all they know now is how to interact online. I personally, was stuck the position where I could not function without my phone or texting. I was a teenager and it was hard to separate my life from my phone because my phone was my life. I cannot believe that was only a few years ago, but I grew out of that when I actually had a life and reality hit of working two jobs and going to school full time. Then I would get annoyed if people call, if it is not important. I know its not the same situation for everyone, but since I have been on the other side, I do understand that perspective.
Great post. While I agree with Baym, Wellman and others that certain fears of CMC are blown way out of proportion, I also think that there are problems unique to new technology that they might not be willing to acknowledge as much as they should. As part of our culture at work, we have a saying called “Be Here Now.” It means to be engaged in the converation, meeting and/or moment that you are supposed to be a part of. Our phones give us the ability to go somewhere else, at least mentally, whenever we want to. Sometimes this temptation is too much to resist. Do we have humans have sovereign control over what we choose to do with technology? Of course. But the same goes for drug use, alchohol consumption, etc. Those are real problems. Should we simply blame people with addictions for not being able to find a balance or should we acknowledge root causes of certain problems?
I went three days without my phone and truthfully I actually felt pretty good before I received a new phone. Of course I missed phone calls and text messages, but I felt a little mor intune with the world. I didnt get distracted from my phone dinging every time I got a text message. The real question is how long can people really go with some sort of CMC? It can be done and I know a lot of people have fears of not knowing which can be a positive or negative outcome. People have to learn how to balance life out with CMC and face to face conversations. It will help them a lot more in life if they can achieve this goal.