Well, here is my first real blog. We are supposed to be reflecting on what we have learned or what sparked our interest this week in class. We seem to talk a lot about the positive and negative aspects of CMC in our lives and the world around us. I have found myself relating to most of the conversations in class, and I can understand what makes CMC useful and what makes CMC a hindrance sometimes.
I feel like when used in moderation and for the "right" reasons, CMC is actually very beneficial for the world. I really only see CMC as a threat when it interferes completely with social interaction. Yes, CMC is obviously going to take the place of face to face communication occasionally, but as long as people know that there are times when face to face communication is more appropriate than CMC they are not out of line.
I feel that presently having CMC skills is very important, but face to face communication skills have been and always will be necessary. We can learn how to chat on computers and we can join online discussion groups, but as soon as we lose sight of what it means to talk to someone, we need to reevaluate our situations.
I think that is all I have to say for now. See ya!
3 comments:
Good point Jaime. You and I have grown up in a world that has seen both effective FtF communication and CMC. I think that this is a great advantage to us because we know how to balance the two means equally. For those born in the future, I worry they might have less exposure and experience with FtF comunication since the CMC, by then, will probably replace FtF communication. for instance, my sister is 16 and she communicates very widely and very well through CMC but seems to slightly lack effective communication through FtF interaction. Nonetheless, I thing our generation is okay because we are in the middle of the transition from FtF to CMC and we have been able to experience both means of communicating.
-Chris
I agree with you Jamie. CMC can be good and bad, it just depends on how it is used. When I think about using CMC as a social network I see the positive it has brought to my life. It is social, efficient, helpful, quick, easy, and entertaining.
Although I do not use CMC to meet new people or develop new relationships at this stage in my life, I have done so in the past. When I was in high school I used to talk to people from other high schools in my area on AIM. These were people I had only met once or twice through a friend, but I was able to develop good friendships and connections because of CMC.
I also know people who use/used CMC as a tool in starting relationships. Dating networks can be extremely successful, and I know a couple who just got married that met on E-Harmony.
So clearly there are many different benefits that come from CMC, I agree the negative aspects come when people become much more intense, or not as smart, when using the internet as a communication tool.
I see what you're saying Jamie! CMC is soo important but it depends how you use it. I don't feel that face to face interactions will completely diminish because they are crucial but I think CMC will help our communication and even aid face to face interactions. CMC tools have allowed me to catch up with friends and meet up with them face to face later on.
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