Reading these articles brought me immediately back to high school, when my friends and I would literally schedule times to meet on AIM. Never mind picking up the phone and having an actual conversation- we lived for these moments of typing out our inside jokes and “hanging out” with each other while we did homework, searched Google, and even did chores.

I really think that webspeak/netspeak is having a large amount of influence on our culture. While I haven’t gotten on an instant messaging application or site in several years, I know several high school students who love them, and even things like FaceTime on the iPad/iPhone are constantly used as communication tools. As Thurlow says, youth are often represented as “exotic” and different, and they have so much technology at their disposal (13). This new frontier of communication allows them to have options and choices about how they relay information and bond with their friends. Being able to text or message something gives people a boldness that they couldn’t have in person (Thurlow writes that according to Brown’s study, 52% of participants sent something via text that they wouldn’t say face to face) (11). These new forms of communication are having a huge effect on our culture.

I agree with Baron when she says that these new forms are creating a hybrid version of English. Because people are using texting and internet messaging for a lot of their communication, they are reverting to abbreviations, shortcuts, abruptly short messages, and other ways to get the point across more quickly. Baron also writes that instant messages are often published without proofreading or taking the time to think over words (48). This is one of the many ways these communication tools are closer to speech than to writing. Baron says that instant messages are often broken up into several lines, like pauses we make in speech (49). She also says that (according to Herring) men are often crude, and women often apologize on instant messaging, which to me are things that happen often in dialogue, but not so much in emails, where people think over their words (52-53). Instant messages were also found to average at 5.6 words, which is more like an informal conversation and less like written works. Thurlow says that “young people ‘write it as if saying it,'” which means that these tools are used for small talk and for bonding purposes (16).

I thought this week’s readings were very interesting, and they caused me to think quite a bit about my own online communication habits. Baym’s notes about how women and men communicate differently were very eye-opening. She writes that people don’t use communication as a tool to liberate themselves from gender stereotypes- instead, they “perform” gender through their chosen words (66). Men are more about information, and women are more about relationships. At the end of the day, men are more likely to turn their phones off, possibly because they view the phone as a work tool rather than a way to keep in contact with loved ones. Overall, women seem to talk more online- their instant messaging goodbyes are three times as long as men’s, and they often write about the underlying messages in life situations, rather than sticking to what actually happened (67). I thought it was very interesting that women’s conversations seem to work against their fight to break stereotypes about talking too much and being too emotional.

I also read about how emoticons allow people to show emotions in their online communication. While emails can sometimes be misunderstood, with jokes coming across as serious or offensive matters, using a smiley face can help ensure the reader that messages are lighthearted. Baym writes that using creative and personal ways to communicate online “show others that we are real, available, and that we like them” (62). For people who are shy or socially uncomfortable, the internet gives them an opportunity to “reinvent” themselves and have a charismatic personality online.

In Gerrand’s article, I thought it was interesting how flawed the Global Reach study seemed. Although so many people are equally fluent in both their native language and English (because English truly is becoming the global language, so people are raising their children with it), Global Reach automatically assumes that people will use the internet in their native language. Since so many languages aren’t even supported by personal computers, and many foreign news sites, etc are published in English, this study doesn’t seem to “take a step back” and look at all the options. I have never personally dealt with other languages on the internet, so I can’t predict how important these types of issues are or will be in the future. However, as Western technology continues to spread over the globe, I can only imagine that English will become more and more dominant in all cultures.

As someone who has grown up with the internet and views it as a foundational aspect of modern life, it can be hard for me to step back and consider other people’s views concerning it. However, both Baym and Herring had many points about people’s hopes and fears regarding new technologies and CMC.

Perhaps the most basic and underlying fear I read is people’s assumption that CMC shapes communication and social behavior (Herring 26). Baym writes about this as well, saying that technology actually changes the quality of interactions (30). However, this point does allow people to hope that this new change in social behavior will broaden our “pool of potential relational partners” (Baym 30), and also bring people closer together (Baym 36). While people are having a greater sense of openness and opportunity, they are also fearful about the amount of their information that is available to the public. Herring writes that an underlying concern is “loss of personal privacy,” and says that there is a “growing awareness that our online communication leaves traces” (32). On the other hand, another concern is that there is too MUCH privacy available online- and that people have no real idea of who they are talking to (resulting in child molestation and other horrendous acts) (Baym 35, 41-42).

Herring writes that the internet has become a “practical necessity” rather than an exciting tool, and that concepts like blogging have gone from exciting to as ordinary as passing notes in class (33). She says that CMC is “slouching toward the ordinary,” and that the internet is becoming a simpler, safer, and far less fascinating communication environment.

Based upon her thoughts, I have to admit that most hopes and fears about technology seem a bit dated. I understand the concerns about putting credit card numbers online, or being careful about what information we publish, but I think that most people have been warned so many times that they have gotten the point. I have seen a large array of articles bringing awareness about internet issues (including ones about how our Facebook profiles can be harmful for college admissions and job pools), and I think that people are becoming very good at dealing with these issues. While we obviously need to watch over those who don’t fully realize the risks (like when our 14-year-old cousins put up provocative Facebook profile pictures set to public access), most of society seems to have caught on quite nicely.

I have always enjoyed taking tests where I can find out more about myself and how I relate to others. My result for this technology test is that I am an “Ambivalent Networker.” 7% of adults are this, and most are male. The advanced description says that I have seamlessly integrated technological resources into my every day life, but that I am sometimes tired of how often the phone rings (Horrigan 8). It says that I am relieved to take a break from using the internet (Horrigan 38).

I actually believe this description fits me perfectly. Since I am a small business owner, I have learned how to use technology to my advantage, and I really have integrated it into everything I do. Technology allows me to get more done in a smaller amount of time, and I enjoy finding new ways to be more productive. On the other hand, it can be very frustrating to be focused on a project and get interrupted by a text, phone call, or Facebook post. Because I have so many devices, getting a mention on Twitter can cause many different beeps, chimes, and other alarms to go off. I do enjoy taking a break from technology, setting my auto-response, and being able to disconnect from the busyness I find online. However, I am also very thankful for the good things technology has done for my career and productivity.

Honestly, because “Ambivalent Networker” fits me so well, I had a hard time relating to the other user types. I do feel that it is very important to learn about how people use technology. It has become such a large part of our lives, and businesses need to know exactly how we filter this new information. With the large variety of ways corporations can market to individuals (texting, Facebook, online news, brand websites, etc.), it is vital that business professionals study the differences in how people view these avenues. Even in our personal lives, I believe that knowing the differences between ourselves and others allows us to have a better understanding of how to best communicate with them.

Horrigan, John. The Mobile Experience. Rep. Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2009. Print.

Hi everyone! I’m Clarissa Sidhom, and I have a wonderful husband and an adorable child (our kitten named Bo). I love experimenting with Pinterest crafts, attempting new recipes (that’s definitely hit or miss!), and finding awesome little treasures in thrift stores. I am a senior communication major, and I’m very excited about this class because I spend a large amount of my time online. I am a wedding and proposal photographer, and the internet is important not just for my personal relationships, but also for marketing and brainstorming new ideas.

I’m very excited to read your thoughts and get to know you all! :)