Experience on Computer Mediated Communication by Chester Chong

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The creation of the cyberspace as a consequence of the globalization wave and the importance of such technology are becoming much vital and necessary to humans’ daily life. One of the most significant consequences caused by the creation of the World Wide Web is the formation of social network sites (SNS). Boyd and Ellison (2007) noted that SNS is a source of connection to people around the globe which is also related to computer mediated communication (CMC). As a brief introduction of CMC, Herring (2001) defined this as text-based messages sent through electronic mediums which are made up from various forms.

      Born within the Y-generation era, I did not have much contact with the usage of such communication technology during my childhood as not all family members were using such technologies. If memory serves me right, I barely remember my elder cousins used to communicate with through ICQ and e-mails. After getting my first mobile phone, I began to use short messages service (SMS). Now, with the possession of a personal computer and smart phone, I get to know the usage of CMC in a clearer picture.

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Frankly speaking, I was originally confused and interested when I was introduced with such application, and I admit that I used to be left behind. After using these communicative applications, I found out that people mostly rely on it as it is much more convenient and user-friendly. It is convenient in the sense that it is usable anywhere with cellular service, and these applications are designated for anyone from different societal layers. Yet, a question still lingers in my mind. Are these communicative technologies necessary to exist even if it lessens human interactions and slowly replaces our life with the virtual world within the network? This is because another form of societal disease has eventually emerged whereby the heavy reliance of technology becomes a form of addiction.

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Now, I would like to relate my own experience and thought towards CMC by using the perspective of social presence theory. Based on what this theory has proposed, the uses of cues and emotions within CMC are lacked (Hiltz, Johnson & Angle, 1978 and Rice & Case, 1983 as cited in Walther, 2011). I would argue that human interaction has been interrupted with the lack of face-to-face interpersonal communication. And if associated with my situation, I would say that I was unable to get use to the usage of CMC in the past because I was trained to interact face-to-face with my family. Personally, I think that face-to-face interaction creates stronger bond and enhances relationship between both parties as they will be more considerate about how the other side feels.

What Einstein had once predicted about the day when human lives are invaded by technologies eventually becomes a fact. Computers indeed are massively replacing human interaction and shifting the ways of communication among human.            

Reference

Boyd, D. M. & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social network sites: Definition, history and scholarship. Journal of Computer-mediated Communication, 13(1), 210-230.

Herring, S. C. (2001). Computer mediated discourse. In D. Tannen, D. Schiffrin & H. Hamilton (Eds.), The Handbook of Discourse Analysis (pp. 612-634). Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishers Inc.

Walther, J. B. (2011). Theories of computer-mediated communication and interpersonal relations. In M. L. Knapp & J. A. Daly (Eds.), The Sage Handbook of Interpersonal Communication (4^th edition) (pp. 443-479). Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publication.

 

If you wish to understand more about Computer Mediated Communication (CMC), please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gumNCHoUmYY