FtF Vs. CMC

F2F vs. CMC
I am smirking in the irony of the fact that the Internet turned 40 years old this past month (October 29), just as I so happened to be immersed in studying its affects on human affairs. The article, entitled ‘Internet’s first words recalled by researcher’, was written by Kevin Modesti of the Los Angeles Daily News, and appeared in the main section of our local newspaper. (Modesti, K. (2009, October 30). Internet’s first words recalled, The Register Guard, p. A5).

UCLA was hosting a symposium to celebrate the anniversary. The irony reveals itself due to many of the quotes cited by the originators who were developing a computer system in the UCLA computer lab, which was supposed to ‘talk’ to a similar computer at Stanford University. The article’s fist line was, “It was a momentous event that virtually nobody noticed at the time.” (p.A5).

One particular quote of many that emanated from the symposium that stuck out in my mind was from Arianna Huffington, who was a member of the discussion panel, “We’re at a real turning point politically, culturally and in our personal lives. Politically, if it weren’t for the internet, Barak Obama would not be President.”
In her own way, I believe she was touting the affects of CMC on a Universal scale. Face-to-Face has its’ values and place, however, it appears in this case that CMC won the day.

Richness of CMC vs. FtF

Personally, I have the heartfelt sense that FtF communication is a “Richer” form of communication- from pure experience. I enjoy using the multi-dimensional depth of the five senses God embedded in our humanness, as opposed to the two dimensions of black letters on a white (or other colored) background.
However, as of late I find that I vacillate on that standpoint –and genuinely believe- that I can experience the best of both worlds. I say that with conviction, especially as I go ‘on-line’, activate my Web-Cam, and talk in real-time with my family in France. What was once the occasional letter, and very rare phone call to France, is now a virtually daily conversation with my relatives. While emotion was inferred in previous communications (i.e., letters and cards) with CMC, it is real-time.

As for me, I chose neither side, as CMC has allowed me the opportunity to enjoy a ‘virtual’ FtF richness in nearly all my communication. As a result of the above, I fundamentally disagree with the statement in Box BT4:2 SAD, LONELY AND DEPRESSING? Greater use of the internet is associated with declines in participants’ communication with family members in the household, declines in the size of their social circle, and increases in their depression and loneliness. Thurlow, C., Lengel, L., and Tomic, A. (2008 p. 46).

Those who know me best, and my personality, recognize my attempts at humor, and know when I am serious. For those who don’t know me, I recognize that an e-mail, or text, could carry a connotation that wasn’t intended, so I attempt to minimize that effect with emoticons, or other attempts to assure minimal negative impact.

Happy Birthday Internet – 40 Years Old!

- Marc -

References:

Modesti, K. (2009, October 30). Internet’s first words recalled, The Register Guard, p. A5

Thurlow, C., Lengel, L., and Tomic, A. (2008). Computer Mediated Communication: Social Interaction and the Internet. London: SAGE Publications.