My experience with the Internet in regards to communicating with friends, family, and colleagues has been a good one. Let’s start with email. When I was working as a security manager in the mid to late 1990’s I found that email really helped to create quick efficient communication. The communication wasn’t always polite, but in my experience, communication improved, as long as the other employees were willing to use the technology. This was especially important when it came to communicating with employees who were stationed in different locations. Then, when I worked as a recruiter from the early to mid 2000’s, I found it much easier to reach my clientele.
Social networking has been a godsend to me. First, I get to stay in contact with a lot of my family on facebook. Then, I’ve been able to find old friends and past work colleagues that I had lost contact with for years. I can keep up with a lot of my martial art friends at the schools where I have trained. And I’ve been friends with classmates at UMASS and communicate with them over facebook.
Before the Internet it was more difficult to network with other writers. In the early 2000’s I found some message boards where professional fiction writers hung out. After meeting these people online, I went to book signings and conventions to meet them in person. And now that most everyone has migrated to facebook , I’m able to stay in contact with them all the time.
I think young people might have difficulty with live social interactions if they’re constantly communicating though social networking and texting. But for adults I think it can be a valuable addition to a friendship, especially when life gets busy. I don’t think social networking cheapens friendship since, even if I make friends with people I barely know (and I do this sometimes when I’m networking with writers) I still usually only keep in touch regularly with friends.
In my opinion, Social networking does contribute to political unrest. But that’s a good thing. Large groups of people can come together, communicate, and then take action. Can it be a double-edged sword? Sure, especially if you are on the other side. But the Internet can be a great vehicle for free speech.
First, I want point out the wonderful clarity and cohesiveness in your writing. My Comp I and Comp II professor would have love you (though not more than me because I was a kissup). But, in response to children who may have a higher chance of falling victim to poor social skills if they rely solely on social networking and communications via technology, I have read many articles where the public is split on their opinion. It usually happens this way: the parents who are opposed social networking and communications via technology, they tend to support their opinions with all the negative things about the Internet such as child kidnapping, online dating and things of that nature. However, the articles where parents kind of 'go with the flow' support their opinions with more positive than negative. However, they do mention Internet safety which is so important. I believe that balance is the key to this debateable topic. We have to use moderation and balance everything that we do and communication through technology is no different. Great post!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words, Anteah. I appreciate it. And I agree, moderation is key.
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteThis was a great post and I enjoyed reading your views on communication. I just wanted to add to both of your comments. I think that we have to have moderation and a balance in regards to children and their social skills. I believe that we should embrace their use of social networking sites but I think that we should also teach the importance of face-to face communication. I think the emotion and personal connections once felt in communication are slowly becoming a thing of the past. I also agree that we need to make security one of our utmost concerns. I know I am constantly worried about my nieces and what they post or what pictures they put up on Facebook. So, we should welcome the use of these sites but make sure that our kids are safe in the world of social networking.
I agree, Tom. Thanks for the comment.
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