Webspeak/Netspeak is its own culture. American’s are more suseptible to the short hand or “code” talk as identified in the readings because we are more vulnerable to the technologies. The primary tool that is sucking us into this new culture is our cell phones. From the begining of IM on AOL Instant messanger, the spread of shor text or netspeak has moved rapidly through our society.

The points that were interesting to me and that I beleive influence our American culture revolve around the notes about speech versus writing. The overall acceptability of “slang” abbreviations and untraditional grammer are overlooked in today’s society. The primary audience is teenagers that are raised in the technology age where the focus is quick, short, and not gramatically proper.

I must admit english is not my strongest subject. However, when I was a teen we had slang, but not breivity as the teenagers of today have and use. I do aggre with Baron’s findings as noted above we have incorportate IM/Text languae into our conversations in person, online, television, even in music.

There were several interesting points in the readings. I found that the majority of the readings were concerned with the use of the English language and the depletion of proper grammar, spelling, and effective communication. First interesting point was made by outlining how individuals perceive the intimacy of communication and how  we list them by nature from the most to least satisfaction.

It will be impossible to replace a face to face conversation in text only, emoticons and discussions online. The void of non verbal clues and communication are omitted and the sender is able to manipulate the receiver with their message without fully disclosing their true emotions. One challenge with communication by email, IM, Facebook, Twitter, etc., is the lack of a genuine communication. There are many times that I see posts and say to myself what in the world is that person thinking. I can now analyze that the individual is creating a persona and could be a “flamer.”

Furthermore, the use of spell check is not always our best friend! Social media and email are forms of blended communications and there will always be use of improper punctuation, spelling, and slang abbreviations. I don’t feel that the use of SMS will deplete the English language, however I do feel it influences the flow of a conversation and out of habit we are adapting and more acceptable as a society as a whole of the use of phrases such as “LOL, ROFL, SMH, etc.”

Which leads me to my third point of culture, online culture does not give an ethnicity face. The adaptability and acceptability of the users level of communication through online messages. I personally have not used another language on line other than English. However, I do see use of online translators in other languages where you type in your message in English, select the language, and viola you can now speak another language! I do not believe that ethnicity has a strong influence on the user, it is the accessibility of technology that hinders other cultures from having a presence online.

In the future the use of abbreviated conversation will continue. The main influences are speed, technology expansion, and the age of the users. Culturally, we could see a higher use from other countries as their governments give more freedom socially to their people. As for America we are so immersed in technology and obsessed with advanced versions that we are headed full speed to the next great way to communicate online.

Reading Chapter 2 and Herrin (2004) the hopes of new technologies were primarily  to make easier avenues for communication for people. In contrast the fears are much higher issues. People fear that the replication and storage of content online is permanent and can be reproduced at a rapid rate. A sense of privacy invasion or lack there of is also a concern on the table. As noted in chapter 2 of our text, there are strong anxieties that stem from the media being interactive, deceiving, and exploiting.

It is evident in the rapid growth and popularity of people adapting to the use of technology and high traffic on the internet the the hopes are evident that the use of computers, tablets, and cellphones will become the ordinary in our society. For most people, it has. The fears about technology are also lurking in the back ground, of these fears the highest are sexual exploitation primarily concerning children and privacy. A lot of debate about being trackable is out there on the internet and is a testimony to the the evolution outlined in Herring (2004) from the first types of messages being text only to the current formats that allow rapid response and even videos (skype, fact time, etc.)

The observations made by Herring “CMC tend to slouch towards the ordinary” is a confirmation that our communications among each other will be over the use of new and advanced technology tools and messaging.

According to the Pew Internet & American Life Tech User Quiz I am a Digital collaborator. This results is spot on I use technology in many ways and many times per day. The only part I do not agree with is that it states that this type of user is mostly male. I am a woman! In reading the other types of users I feel that I do also have traits of Ambivalent Networker, I do majority of my socializing thru Facebook and Instagram. From tome to time I get on twitter, but not that interested in it for networking/socializing. I use my cellphone for talk/text/and social media thru apps.

The second category I feel I have traits in would be a Media Mover, I do put lots of digital photos on line and often share other photos with quotes, scenery, and food.

It is important to discuss other type of different technology users because you have to know the best way to connect with your friends, co workers, business partners, and any other social relationships. For example, you do not want to text someone who does not have text feature on their mobile phone. There are levels of technology users as we can see with all the potential types in this quiz. If you are not aware of the diversity you limit your chances to connect or communicate effectively.