How New Media Changed the Way in Which Individuals Communicate - Coursework Example

How New Media Changed the Way in Which Individuals Communicate Since the 1980s, the rapid development in information and communication technologies has effectively reduced the world into a global village wherein time, distance and culture hardly matter anymore. Today, people can talk with each other, access information and interact regardless of where their locations are. There are few who consider this as a bane. However, the majority of people today consider this development an advantage and, often, a necessity. Information and communication technologies are numerous, segmented but that they are characterized by two important dimensions - that of its pervasiveness and the connectivity of the technological platforms/media that is anytime and anywhere. The Internet and the Global Village Unarguably, the Internet is central to the sophistication of information and communication. It has enabled people - through their computer systems and mobile network devices - to be networked together so that they interact real-time. A resident in London, for instance, could chat with a friend from Chile, read an on-going news story about what is happening in Libya and buy some apparel from a manufacturing outfit in China. All these feats could be accomplished at the same time, from the comfort of the Londoners own home and just with some clicks of his mouse. It is easy to understand how people regard the Internet as a blessing for the sheer reason that it makes life so much easier and for knowledge to be gained at the speed of light. Presently, the global Internet users are fast approaching its 2 billionth mark. (World Internet Usage 2011) Because of this, the Internet became a platform for communication as well as a form of digital community that people could take advantage of for whatever objective, cause and purpose they have. For example, there is the issue of online trade or more popularly known as e-commerce. Organizations through the Internet gain access to millions upon millions of consumers to sell goods and services. At the other end of this equation, there are also those millions who turn to the medium in order to find and buy goods and services. Today, trade of all kinds and in all volumes peruses the Internet as an integral part of the sales process because it eliminates several steps and barriers in ordinary trading process. Because of the Internets capability, production and sale of goods and services has become cost efficient, benefitting the producer and the consumer in the process. The type of communication offered by online infrastructure has provided users a facilitated way by which their economic or commercial needs are satisfied. Online trade and marketing are now so sophisticated that they are permeate people’s online lives. There is also the use of the Internet by marketers, news organizations, cause-oriented groups, and other users that seek to disseminate information so that they could shape public opinion and, hence, influence their behavior and those of the policy networks’. The Internet forms part of many corporations initiative to build brands, cultivate customer relationship and dispense excellent customer service – all designed to gain competitive advantage. Cause-oriented groups could use the medium in their strategy to inform the public about their activities. All in all, the Internet has achieved the status of the traditional media in terms of usage and integrity making it one of the platforms that public came to rely on. Information Access If one has to consider the way Internet works - how content could be produced and accessed by several people simultaneously - it becomes easy to understand how it has become a valuable tool in education. Online classrooms, podcasts and webinars are excellent demonstrations of how people tap the Internet to learn. For example, many South Koreans and Chinese used to go abroad in order to learn the English language. Recently, however, an increasing number of online classrooms have become alternative destinations for these learners. Through the advances in technology, rich media applications are continually developed so that classrooms are simulated successfully, particularly with student-teacher interaction occurring real-time even if the participants in the virtual classroom are living from different corners of the globe. According to Branham (2005), online learning is also popular because it is self-paced, cheap and convenient. (p. 112) The dynamics of the educational capability of the web is also demonstrated in the way multinational companies train their employees located in various countries using one website. For example, Philippine employees of FedEx, which is headquartered in Memphis, can access a database of the company’s training resources, which maybe consisted of video and other interactive materials, without having to go to the US offices or for experts to visit the Philippines to conduct training. Collaboration There is also the inclusive nature of the web that makes it an excellent tool in order for many people around the world to come together, create and collaborate. This is demonstrated by the concept called wiki. A web application or a website such as Wikipedia whose content could be uploaded and modified by several users is an example. It is like co-authoring but with a great number of people involved. One can say that the possibilities are almost unlimited; with the way several minds bring together their diverse ideas in order to make something excellent. Again, without the web, this is impossible to achieve, as people would have to hurdle the variables of distance and time in order to collaborate. Digital Society A recent development in communications and information technology is the emergence of the community and social networking websites. Facebook was suddenly catapulted to popularity in 2000 and now boasts of billions of online users. This website, like any other social networking websites, let people upload photographs among other rich content and data so that their friends or those peers connected to their profiles could access them easily. In addition, the web platform allows its users to update “statuses” or whatever is happening or what they are doing so others know about them as well. Some social networking sites call this as “shoutouts,” which essentially, is all about broadcasting whatever is happening with one’s life to those who would be interested. An examination of social networking sites such as Facebook, Friendster, Multiply, MySpace, Twitter, and so forth, reveals that they integrate several functionalities that simulate how people interact and communicate in the actual world. People can initiate and join conversations, comment on issues, make friends, debate, sell goods, harass people, listen to music and let others know the title of what the user is listening to. It appears like any type and form of communication is possible. According to Howard (2010), many people are now confusing social network with community, with some preferring it to actual personal interactions. (p. 12) Forums are also part of the digital community. Unlike, social networking sites that are devoted to social activity and more personal interaction and communication with peers, forums are designed for discussion and dialogue. In a way, it is the digital version of the ancient Greek forum wherein any member could voice out his or her opinion on several issues. This type of communication has become important because it demonstrates the difference and the advantage of the Internet to the traditional media such as television and radio. Here, the public is not a passive spectator to current events. When an issue emerges, they could immediately express what they think in a lively and often enthusiastic debate with other users by posting statements, conversation style. Blogs, or the personal diaries of people, is almost akin to forums. The only difference is that it is owned by a single individual or blogger. Many blogs are popular today and function as resource for many online users. They also serve as a way for people to communicate and support the issues that they identify and most interested with. Conclusion Technology has enabled communication to reach its maximum potential, at least as far as we are concerned because technologists would surely disagree, with all the developments going on. As cited by this paper, communication has become a tool and a necessity that makes lives easier and efficient for many people. One can say that we are now connected or wired together 24/7 and that it is no longer difficult to keep tabs on what is going on with our family, friends and with the world. What is more important, however, is that we are able to use communication to better our lives, be aware of what is going on and become less passive spectators. We become more involved and engaged in our respective communities and of other societies as well. References Branham, L. (2005). Seven hidden reasons employees leave. AMACOM. Howard, T. (2010). Design to thrive: Creating Social Networks and Online Communities. Morgan Kaufmann. Internet World Stats. (2011). "World Internet Usage and Population Statistics." Internet World Stats. Retrieved 18 April 2011, from Read More