CMC simply means communication using computers and computer networks, including e-mail, electronic conferences, newsgroups, and Web chats. It allows access and interaction between people and databases, all over the world. These social networking services are a form of CMC because they possess certain characteristics like for example using the computer as a medium, and transpire on a virtual platform known as ‘cyberspace’.
We cannot deny that the proliferation of CMC has influenced and permutated our lifestyles. Now our world revolves around it and I would dare say it is not an ephemeral addiction. Such individuals will plunge into abysmal disorientation once they are robbed of CMC. None of us ever experiences it because technology will not allow us to be deprived. The adhesive connection between personal identity and CMC ‘caused a shift in the basic definition of self’ and this concept opens new windows to which how people can lead lives, maintain or construct relationships etc.
For me, whether it is a necessity to have so many computer mediated ‘communicators’ remains an eternal conundrum.
imagine one day when the worldwideweb got hacked. networks are down and computers, for once, sit there on the table and do nothing. that is when teens, young adults, workaholics etc will plunge into your ' abysmal disorientation' and it won't be surprising that such thing will eventually happen, taking note of all the worms and bugs that are burrowing its way through the computer system, on a task to shut it down for good... or bad.
ReplyDeletereliance on the internet has been growing very rapidly. it seems that people cant stay away from the internet for more than a day. it is becoming impossible to live without the internet in today's society. there are so much of information that we can feed ourselves through the internet (for research, work or pleasure reading).
ReplyDeletei cant imagine what will happen if Singapore shuts down the internet for a day..
to communicator. I cannot imagine. For better or worse, the system can not shut down. Developers of these systems are keeping up with burrowers as we speak and we should trust such technical excellence. I believe no one can ever predict or foresee the unimaginable consequences of internet dissolution.
ReplyDeleteto shadysnapshots.
ReplyDeleteSimple. We will veer off course and become disoriented. People are becoming intrinsically inclined and addicted to the usage of the internet as such, it would disrupt their lives.
omg what would it be like with no internet!?! I would be lost! haha I often find myself online every 30 mins either checking up for information or downloading music or working on projects or even paying bills for that matter... I think the internet plays a very significant role in everyone's lives. Ever so often, you here articles and reports claiming that the internet is nothing but a waste of time as we utilize most of our time online yet most of us are irrevocably hooked on to it! It is a very important tool as it helps on important subjects like updating yourself with the news all over the world (which sometimes serves up as the fastest medium when phone lines are jammed or the television etc) or even checking up on the weather for that matter! However, I perceive it to be more like a double edged sword. CMC is a good way of keeping in touch with people all over the world. Networking sites like Twitter, Facebook etc are helpful sites if one is looking forward to establishing online relationships. I guess its all perfectly fine only upto a certain point where individuals are strongly addicted to it! This is often a problem faced among teenagers. SO basically I don't think there should be a problem with the existence of so many Computer mediated communicators, but only to an extent in terms of addiction.
ReplyDeleteIts an irony how we can be so 'connected' yet 'disconnected' at the same time.
ReplyDeleteWe have friends' contacts on our phones, msn and so on. But rarely do we actually use these devices to keep in contact. Most of us just accept friend invites, maybe chat a little, but that's it. We don't keep up the constant contact nor do we initiate meetings.
I guess its just us taking things for granted. As technology improves, we think to ourselves that we can always contact our friends anytime, and we just put off speaking to one another...after all they're always there, aren't they?
Yet it is this convenience that makes us all the more distant, even when we're connected.
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ReplyDeleteTechnology is to help us connect with others, thus why we are so addicted to the internet, our handphones, etc ... basically anything technology.
ReplyDeleteI know if I didn't have Facebook or MSN, I wouldn't be able to keep in contact with my friends in the US. With that being said, I use Facebook and MSN to keep in contact with LOCAL friends. Why? Hmmm not so sure. I mean, I see them almost everyday. I have their numbers in my handphone, but yet, I use FB and MSN to communicate.
These two things are free ways of communicating. maybe that's why people are so addicted.
To cynera
ReplyDeleteIt is the convenience and the electric rate at which it operates that seduces people. The easy maintenance of relationships adds on to the already overwhelming list of positive feedback of such mediums. I am not really acute at such platforms but I personally do not have anything against them. In fact I can think of a plethora of reasons to support the use of it. I was just puzzled at the prolific rise in number and variety of applications, which are surprisingly similar.
To Olivia
ReplyDeleteI absolutely concur with your sentiments. We are closely connected because we are constantly aware of our friends’ personal lives. Somehow to me, it feels more like exhibitionism and voyeurism put together. People are divulging their private information and also at the same time, checking into others. The only difference I can draw out is that these subjects of interest will become conversation topics, thus maintaining relationships. I suppose.
To ida
ReplyDeleteYes simply because it is free. MMORPG games are free and all it requires is for the user to download. We know of such addictions in the gaming world because people die from it. Maybe the gravity is less for Facebook and Twitter addicts because it lacks entertainment compared to online games.