Marina McKeown
EN 101 07
iExamen #1
2/7/13
iExamen
Technology is continuously altering
the way we communicate with one another. Emails, text messages, and Facebook
posts seem to have replaced a handshake or the warmth of a love one’s voice on
the phone. The world today is dominated by speed. We are searching for the
quickest way to get somewhere, the fastest Internet, or the speediest way to
relay a message. As a generation it is questioned if we are losing our ability
to communicate efficiently. My own personal experience following a close
observation of my means of communication suggest that technology has not
negatively affected my style of communicating with others.
Communication is more than a
conversation or interaction with others. Communication is not only expressed in
words but in our appearances. Body language is a key indicator of
communication. A person can automatically tell if a person is approachable by
their posture, arm position, and position of their head. A person standing
straight with relaxed arms and facing their surroundings will be more
approachable than a person slouched over with folded arms staring at the floor.
Although they may seem minuscule eye contact and clothing affect the efficiency
of communication. It would be very difficult to have a meaningful and
purposeful conversation without eye contact. Instead the person would be
confused and side tracked by an inability to be looked at while spoken too.
Clothing or a person’s general appearance says a lot about their willingness to
interact face to face with others. Students walking around campus with
headphones on may seem less approachable. Clothing also plays a role. Someone
who is dressed confidently or presentable may appear to be more social than
someone still in pajamas, sippers, and a hat covering their face. In places
such as Boulder it is easy to distinguish who falls into what category. Which
students body language and outward appearance seems to welcome people to their
table rather than students engulfed in their laptop and headphones.
Technology plays an active role in
our daily communication with others. Emails, texting, Facebook, Twitter, and
even Instagram allow us constant connection to others. Technology causes us to
communicate differently through smart phones, laptops, etc. but also while in
the presence of others. At lunch with friends you can talk about your day but
not without a scroll down the Facebook newsfeed or visiting Instagram’s popular
page. Technology allows us to interact formally and informally. Emails allow
communication fast and efficiently in the workforce and more casually between
friends and family. Facebook allows people to be connected in a tremendous way.
It is remarkable how close it can bring people to together, old friends,
distant family members for example. But it is also ironic how it can keep
closer people away. A person might focus more on John Smith’s Facebook status
than the conversation they are having in person. The various outlets of
communication blur the line of what we are comfortable saying in person verses
online. With the new flood of Facebook, Twitter etc. has come the era of cyber
bullying. Personally I have noticed that a Facebook post or a tweet at a friend
is a casual hello or thinking of that person. What I am saying is not in depth
or of great meaning. With technology, especially communication online or over
text message a person is not able to fully communicate their message. Body
language and tone of voice is a huge indicator of what a person means or how
they feel. With the use of electronic communication I noticed I do not trust my
message to get across correctly. If it is a text to grab lunch then impersonal
is fine, but a conversation that is in-depth is better communicated in person
or on the phone.
To unplug from all electronic
communication in this day and age is rare occurrence. Although only an hour
without my phone, laptop, Facebook etc. I had some mixed feelings. I noticed
that it was easier to finish a homework assignment without the distraction of
Twitter, but I was bothered when I couldn’t text a classmate with a question
for the assignment. Dinner without my phone was enjoyable; I was able to focus
more on what the person was saying and not a constant buzzing. Unfortunately, I
was also late to dinner because I hadn’t received the message it was moved up
fifteen minutes. I realized I related to myself a little more, although I don’t
think a second opinion with the help of my phone could do much harm. My hour
without electronic communication was quieter, allowing myself more time to
reflect on my thoughts. Although I enjoyed the limited distractions I didn’t
like not having any form of electronic communication. When I FaceTimed with my
mother that evening I realized how grateful I was for electronic communication
and the opportunity it gave me to remain close to people far away. I learned
from this exercise that is important to have a balance between electronic
communication and time without it. Emails or Twitter do not need to be checked
at a dinner or while speaking to someone. But electronic communication is fast
and effective and helps people’s daily lives in a tremendous amount. It is
important to use the benefits of communicating electronically but not to forget
the quiet time necessary for the self-analysis part of your day.
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