We’re already fascinated by how the Internet has become the single most important tool for information gathering, networking, social interaction, and virtually every aspect of our personal activities.
Over the last 7 years, our ability to connect with virtually anyone from across the globe has been simplified thanks to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and several other social networking mediums.
While the progression of these tools are creating opportunities, it is important to understand how these tools have shaped, improved or shifted our interpersonal relationships, and more importantly our ability to communicate effectively:
A couple of questions I think need to be taken into consideration:
1) Are we communicating more because of the increased capacity to contact anyone from a distance? If so, how are we communicating with them?
2) Are we getting involved in networking and community activities?
3) What sense of ‘belonging’ to communities do networked people have?
4) Are we sending the right messages to the right people?
5) How sure are we that the receiver of your intended message(s) understands your message?
Our increased ease and ability to send and receive messages in real time can become a double-edged sword.
We are inundated with information, messages, calls to action, ads, products…and the list goes on. It’s easy to blast out a broadcast message to everyone on your contact list to get your message across; however, the responses are less likely to be favourable from someone who has no interest whatsoever. Wouldn’t it be better to personally contact the people you know would have a vested interest or who would benefit from your message? I mean are we becoming that lazy?
Another important element of any form of communication is ensuring that your intended messages are clear and understood by the intended receiver.
Ask yourself this: are we following up with them, or are we merely assuming that because they received your e-mail, text, bbm or phone call, your intended message was delivered? Failure to clarify this could be detrimental.
Are We Connecting?
The Internet has provided us with the ability to expand our reach and connect with anyone at anytime. As a result, we are witnessing a movement towards ‘networked individualism’.
“The social network revolution has provided the opportunities — and stresses — for people to reach beyond the world of tight groups…People function more as networked individuals and less as group members.” - Prof. Barry Wellman, S.D. Clark professor of sociology at the University of Toronto
We’re moving towards a networked society where people are adapting to new forms of interacting (online chatting, IM, online communities) mainly from indoors rather than the visible outdoors…another facilitator towards the privitisation of community.
Are we effectively leveraging our communication tools and more importantly, are we really functioning better as networked individuals?
Like this:
Tags: Cafe Olé, Cheyenne Baptiste, Communication, Connecting, Social media
I think this was the impetus behind Google creating “circles..” so that you could join/be added to circles that really pertained to your individual interests..but to get back to your point.. I think that while our communication has been expanded to include people the that we would normally never come into contact with (‘peeps in far away places’), I also think that the ease of communication means that we have become inundated with promotional/advertising messages (as you mentioned), and that communication or commitment (how many times have you clicked ‘attending’ on and event but never showed up) have become a lot less meaningful.
Whewww..that was one hell of a run on..
I think that eventually communication is going to come full circle in the sense that people are going to tire of meaningless connections, relationships, and networks..and will get back to the time when communicating with someone was actually a meaningful activity.
I see a resurgence of hand-written letters in the near future..
you just wait and see! wait and seeeee!
Hmm..really interesting observation about the Google circles. I never really thought of that until you mentioned it!
I certainly agree with you in that we’re about to witness a return to a more personalised means of one-on-one communication (hand written letters). I really hope this wouldn’t be a ‘trend’.
Cheers!