Communication Technology geared many lives. Gadgets and other technological advances have become a necessity in the world today.
Moreover, the constantly updating technology of communication devices also paved the way for fast paced business transactions. Innovation, the outstretched span of possibilities, gave light to distinct effects on individuals, both positive and negative. These technology comprises of mobile phones, blogging, and virtual networking. This paper aims to distinguish these advantages and disadvantages as a form of evaluation.
To begin with, communication devices helped man improve his lifestyle, especially on his social aspect of being. Based on the given articles from The New York Times, there were cases where advance communication technology is at a greater disadvantage.
This technology was invented and enhanced to make communication ties faster and easier. However, on detailed cases given in the news articles, virtual networks and other communication devices pull people from reality.
For example, in the article “Devices Enforce Silence of Cellphones, Illegally” by Ritchel (2007), in a therapy circle while one was discussing about her life regarding sexual abuse, one cell phone rang. It more than disturbed the therapy circle as the owner of that phone answered the call, and even conversed with the person on the other end of the line.
People loose their sense of etiquette, the article presented, as people continue to think that they should always respond to their calls and text messages.
This affects one's relationships with “real life” people. Virtual friends isolates a user from reality, technically speaking. More often than not, in relation to those who commonly use similar technology, these people become more enclosed in relating to virtual friends, than real life ones.
According to the article by Taub, cell yell is a term coined by those who are against them, and this refer to how people speak too loudly on their mobile phones. This phenomenon is strongly related to how one is isolated to himself and to the technology.
When one unconsciously yells to his phone during a conversation, it can be said that he does not care what the person beside him is thinking about his conversation. He slowly detaches himself from society, and conjoins another.
Furthermore, when one yells to his mobile, the people who can hear him speak is forced to eavesdrop, in which case, the people hear details they were not interested to hear in the first place. It can be rather discomforting to be informed unintentionally, especially when it concerns death, fear, or anything that could be disgusting.
Moreover, as the rampant growth of cellphone users pursue the population, so does the probability that people tend to ''privatizing the public space,'' as Dr. Kopomaa said in Taub's article (2001), without full consciousness.
When one speaks to his or her phone, regarding serious or lax issues, people within hearing vicinity will know what he or she is talking about. In addition to that, the audience does not always care about what they hear from half of a conversation.
They just listen, and imagine what the other person is saying in response, as shared by the same article. This is also a case where one does not fully recognize the presence of other people as they speak on their mobile phones.
The article by Cohen also used stories regarding virtual networks. These networks are often accessible through their mobile phones. They send quick messages, which are receive by all the friends they have in their account.
Little messages often 2 sentences long answer one basic question, “What are you doing?” It was found out that there were alarming cases where one used the network to express his thoughts regarding his attempt to commit suicide. Many were alarmed by his messages and many messages were sent to his mobile phone to discourage his ideas.
His family and close friends panicked, and even sent for the police. The man was later found sleeping in his car. This story presented that communication devices can be used so callously, that one can simply connect with one person with just a short message, and disconnect with him by not responding to the message.
On the other hand, advanced communication technology has its advantages. As mentioned earlier, updated devices promote convenient and immediate interaction between people.
This is probably one of the most important factors communication devices adhere to. Having a person across the country, or across the world to respond to you in minutes is something truly amazing. Barriers once built to keep people separate has been penetrated by something quite intangible.
Another advantage one can get from such advanced technology is that virtual friends can be true friends. Earlier, it was expressed that such networks pull people from the real world.
As it was in one of the supplied articles, one man resorted to online communities because he did not feel like he belonged in the locale he was currently residing in. As a result, this man moved to another city where most of his friends connected to his account currently lives in. He found the crown he could be in sync with.
One article also shared that some problems were easily solved. In the case when a couple almost broke up, their virtual friends immediately sent them messages to reconsider that possibility. Not only were responses quick, but the concern for that couple can be very genuine; otherwise, they wouldn't have sent a message.
These people who seemed isolated from reality are in a reality where they could be truly happy, to have that sense of belongingness. To be able to connect and relate with other people is almost a natural necessity for one's survival, especially at the state of society today.
Another personal advantage one can get from this technology is to be able to hear a lot of stories. One of the reasons behind calling someone, or sending emails and messages, is to receive a reply with a story along with it.
People can be sentimental about the stories they happen to listen to, and often forward this sentiments to other people. Some have complained that there are things which they did not have to overhear, but other stories can be very heartwarming.
In conclusion, any form of technology has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on which angle they would like to perceive it. If one would think that technology can be very disastrous, then to them it is. However, for people who had been shy and hesitant in socializing with other people, this technology has been their avenue to negate that.
Works Cited
Cohen, Noam. “The Global Sympathetic Audience.” The New York Times 4 November 2007. The New York Times Company. 19 December 2007 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/fashion/04twitter.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2.
Ritchel, Matt. “Devices Enforce Silence of Cellphones, Illegally.” The New York Times
4 November 2007. The New York Times Company. 19 December 2007 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/technology/04jammer.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Taub, Eric. “Cell Yell: Thanks for (Not) Sharing.” The New York Times 22 November 2001. The New York Times Company. 19 December 2007 http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html? res=9A00E2DC173AF931A15752C1A9679C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2
