The 21st century is often referred to as the digital age. Former ways of communicating ideas and communicating with each other are becoming obsolete as cyber culture takes over. For many of us the use of new technologies and social media sites have changed our way of life and has shaped how others view us on online platforms. Many view mass media and digital culture as a brilliant and successful phenomenon as it’s a product of the development of technology however to what extent is it impacting our lives and how we view the world, ourselves, and others?
Letter writing is a method of communication that people have been using since 500 BC. Originally, they were closed with a wax or hand seal which had to be paid for when receiving it and
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Other medians and ‘apps’ such as Facetime and Skype even allows us to feel as if we are present with the people we are communicating with. For many communicating with someone digitally is becoming so instant that it can sometimes feel as though you’re with them – almost replacing physical contact.
Due to this easy access to a digital platform and worldwide audience, many see this as an opportunity for sharing ideas, thoughts, beliefs and practising freedom of speech. For many this is a great opportunity to reach out and connect with people from across the globe through their online ‘profiles’. Some people find that a digital voice or message has a greater effect than a literal voice thus boosting people’s confidence in sharing things with others online. Although this can be viewed as a positive way of allowing someone to communicate their thoughts with others, some individuals take this opportunity of being hidden behind a screen to spread hateful, rude and disrespectful comments with others on the worldwide web. These individuals, often referred to as ‘trolls’ will often mock, threaten, and sometimes blackmail others using their online profiles. Jonathan Bishop claims that “trolling in general is the posting of messages via a communications network that are intended to be provocative, offensive or menacing”. (Bishop, 2013, p28)
Many see this as only pathetic and harmless due to it all being kept in the digital world but for many there as serious
Today, the way we communicate is easier and simpler. One can easily send a text message or call someone for a faster reply. Sending a letter to someone is rarely a form of communication these days due to the fact that it takes several days to send the letter and another couple days to receive a reply. Before cellphones were even invented, sending a letter was the only form of communication that was available.
Letters are a very good way of saving important dates, special memories, and checking in on an old friend. “People marked items as a means of passing information to others, saving important dates, and how to keep memories. This included marking of stone, indents in clay, knotted lengths of cord and scratching of plates of lead, copper and wood” (Twombly 1). Many people saved dates for religious reasons, but also for birthdays and other important dates to them. Letters take a lot of time to write and can become such a hassle that no one hardly uses this technique to communicate anymore.
“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master,” is a quote from the Nobel Lecture given by Christian Lous Lange in 1921 (IV, par6). Technology has enhanced and empowered media, creating a whole new framework. In times past media entered into our homes through newspapers or nightly newscasts; due to advances in technology, our homes are now overrun with various types of media and the media have changed how people view themselves and others. Although the access to media through technology has enhanced the lives of people around the world, many people are becoming addicted to their access to media and losing their identities, their relationships, and sometimes their lives in the process. Technology has outfitted people with a plethora
In addition, big corporations have power to control our digital experience and foster conformity. The ideas that circulate the internet can foster a negative notion of self-esteem and image. At the end of the day, we have to realize that technology has some of its benefits but it also adheres ramifications. We have to be wary of the benefits and the harmful effects that play in our life. We also have to be aware of the effect that technology has on others, such as having a phone out during a conversation aiding ill-mannerism. Technology connects us in many ways but it also distances us. It creates dissonance when we are having a face-to-face interactions and the other person is distracted because of their phone. Superficially, we know a lot about one another through social media but we actually don't know the in depth story. There are many bad information out there and that sometimes messes with our sense of judgement. Through the many facets of social media, we express ourselves differently in variety of platforms. This can affect the sense of self and the real identity of yourself. The web can be a chaotic place with masses of information but with that comes the responsibility of finding the right information and reaping the
Virtually all of us believe that we are in control of our lives but unconsciously the internet has managed to signification influence our actions, thoughts and beliefs. It has allowed us to think it’s normal to share our daily movements with our alleged followers, sharing our inner and deepest secrets; we are trying to make a lasting impression to the world while trying to seek external validation. Sometimes we compare our own lives to those of who we follow and become obsessed that our life doesn't live up to others, allowing us to create doubt in ourselves. Is it right that “girls seek comfort on social media when they are worried” rather than talking to her parents? No, it’s not! We as millions of us regularly seek external validation we leave the flood gates wide open for people to manipulate some vulnerable states of mind. The modern term associated with people that abuse the social network is – troll. “A troll in internet slang, is somebody who deliberately upsets others be starting arguments or posting inflammatory messages on blogs, chartrooms or forums” Therefore, the “anonymity of the internet is the perfect playground” for trolls, but we shouldn't let them prey on our vulnerability, we shouldn't succumb to the exploit they are trying to achieve. Trolls are experts on detecting your negativity and will play on that, knowing that you are anxious to
Since this time period, letter writing has exponentially grown to a larger source of people, especially in the early modern period. The 18th century in particular
Many social media users, for example, have felt the blow of a very hurtful comment from strangers or friends hidden behind a false identity. For example, Twitter has become a venue where anyone from famous politicians, Hollywood elite, to one’s immediate family may spew out inflammatory and bombastic comments that they would never utter in a face to face encounter. This kind of startling exchange is just a sample of how toxic the Internet can be when the users are not accountable and can hide behind the screen of the internet. Due to the loss of face-to-face contact while online, some people obviously feel free to say whatever they want, and with the lack of initial personal reaction from the recipient of these remarks, the online troll feels no remorse. In the article, "Hiding Behind the Screen," Roger Scruton states, "In human relations, risk avoidance means the avoidance of accountability, the refusal to stand judged in another’s eyes, the refusal to come face to face with another person…to run the risk of rejection. Accountability is not something should avoid; it is something we need to learn.” (59). This statement makes one wonder if the cultural shift to online communication and the inevitable lack of
The film “ Digital Nation” is an exploration of diverse people's views on digital media, in today's world. Some of the most important topics were on the virtual world, and the pros and cons of technology within different groups like gamers, students, families, teachers, administrators, children, military and businesses, as well as the experience of general people. In the movie, Prof. Sherry Turkle said, “Technology challenges us to assert our human values. Technology is not good or bad, is powerful, and it is complicated which means first we have to figure out what they are”. Currently, technology has taken over, wherever one, goes one will find it. Over the past years, social media in particular have spread worldwide; from Facebook to Instagram. There is constantly something new, extra advanced and creative. Overall, the technology has evolved the way humans interact with each other. In particular, technology influences by motivating students towards learning, saving time, building literacy and communication skills.
The internet and the people on it can be very crucial. Social media allows people to express themselves in ways they feel can’t in the actual world. They express their feelings, their open to their own opinions, and so forth. However, the internet also consists of people who give unnecessary, mean, and hateful opinions to other people for reasons that no one truly understands. The podcast “Act One. Ask Not For Whom The Bell Trolls; It Trolls for Thee” by Lindsey West, is about a female who was constantly getting backlashed over the internet by whom she referred to as “trolls.” The internet is usually where people go to voice their opinions over what they feel is right or wrong; with Lindsey West, she had voiced her opinion and what she felt was wrong about male comedians using the rape term too often and using carelessly. A result of West voicing her opinion
From digital age we have a more visual society. Images and photography have become part of our lives. The internet is overrun with images meaning the communication between others through cyberspace is more open than face to face communications. Digital age has already changed the way we shop, work and play, communication has incredible effect on our lives. Digital age goes so far beyond the areas of marketing and social
Trolling is the new title that has been given to harassment that takes place on the Internet. A common example of trolling would be sending provocative messages via a communications platform for the pure entertainment of the sender, which then has a harmful effect on the recipient. There are different types of trolling; messages sent to harm others for the sender’s gratification are called ‘flame trolls’, and those to entertain others for their gratification have been given the title ‘kudos trolls’ (Bishop 2012a, 2012b). Where these actions have the resource to legal remedies they are called ‘electronic message faults’ and where the message fails to constitute an offence ‘electronic message freedoms’, and there is quite rightly nothing to
For the past decade or so there has been a considerable shift in the way we communicate with each other; instead of speaking face-to-face, we prefer to stay in touch by way of a Facebook post or Tweet. Social media dominates our life whether we’re using it, or not. However, not all online dissonance has been healthy and civil. The internet has seen a rise in the number of trolls and predators that lurk the dark corners of the Internet. Threats, and heinous insults flood media networks like Reddit and Snapchat. Online predators who fling insults are enamored by the internet’s alluring anonymity and can’t give it up. Like Christine Rosen says in her article called, “In the Beginning Was the Word,” “technology has introduced new words, changed the meaning of others, and has even introduced new forms of language and communication” (230). The evolutionary trend and prevalence of people intentionally offending others online has led to a
Digital communication through today’s technology is empowering our society and strengthening human relationships through connecting us in ways that are impossible through organic human to human interaction. This exceptionally innovative technology was once only imaginable in science fiction literature, and is now a reality for most of humanity. We use this form of communication on a daily basis throughout the planet. We rarely stop to think about how wondrous and seemingly magical this advanced technology is, and we seldom ponder on how this new form of communication impacts us as a culture. Advanced digital communication not only enables and emboldens us, but could be potentially harming and hindering us as a culture as well as socially
The worth of media is a very controversial topic. Media has given us the ability to do things in new and creative ways such as how we learn and accomplish our everyday tasks. However, we do not always know how to interpurate this information. The technology available today is constantly impacting and influencing society in tremendous ways. Many of the impacts that are accocated with media are addressed in negative ways, but can be seen from a positive perspective as well. In the current generation, media and its influences can be found everywhere. These influences widely impact today’s adolescents and maturing teenagers because they are still developing into adults. Medias purpose is not only to inform us, but to allow us to mold ourselves in how we want to be perceived online. Also, it allows us easy access to unbelievable amounts of information. Living in an era known as the “information age” is riveting, but what are we suppose to do with all of this new technology and information?
Social media. We have all heard of it. We have all raved about it at some point in our lives. There is no doubt; it plays an imperative part of people’s lives today – users are reliant on social media. It is great that Mark Zuckerberg reminds us to say, “Happy Birthday” to our friends. Yet, we have all seen the dangers it can cause. From identity fraud to cyberbullying - we become exposed to the dangers of the internet. Not only is it hackers and frauds that cause destruction, but social networking posts. Every day, you scroll through Facebook, or Instagram - liking, sharing and commenting on posts. What people don’t see is how words on a ‘status’ or ‘tweet’ can hurt someone. They can’t see that a person’s feelings behind the screens on a computer have been destroyed, because they can’t see what they don’t want to see.