The Irony of Communication Innovations
description
Transcript of The Irony of Communication Innovations
By Jacob MacDonald �
Humanity relies on storytelling as the cornerstone of communication. �
Source: Google Advanced Image Search: h4p://talkstreetsmart.com/wp-‐content/uploads/2011/12/storytelling1.jpeg
The inclinations to interact in a social environment have not changed, but �the methods in which we do so, have �
evolved. �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: Sids1
The telephone was invented in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell, and from there, the ball kept rolling �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: macinate
!
According to a Time Inc. study, half of all Americans prefer to communicate digitally rather than talk in person. �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: jpockle
Today, there are too many ways to communicate with others... �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: adacEo
... and we lack a generally accepted hierarchy for this madness! �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: See-‐ming Lee
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: 2TOP
“The fact that I have to monitor my Twitter account, email, Facebook, cellphone and landline in order to keep in touch- and to keep straight how other people prefer to talk- is just too much.”�- Sherry Turkle, Psychologist, Massachusetts Institute of Technology�
Even with an evident distress, the number of communication methods continue to grow. �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: clogozm
The apple app store alone reached an all-time high last month receiving 1036 app submissions per day- a majority of which can be considered non-game apps which includes communication categories. -148apps.biz �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: CrisEano Be4a
However, as these technologies continue to evolve, we are witnessing a paralleled increase in frustration connected to use of so many mediums of communication. �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: miggslives
The innovation of communication methods is actually increasing the difficulty of doing exactly that- communicating. �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: mdanys
As everyone continues talking, an overarching questions is provoked; is anyone listening? �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: Yinghai
The reality is, everyone has a preferred method of communication, but it may
not necessarily be your counterpart’s favourite. �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: ChrisEaan Triebert
“People don’t think to themselves ‘how does this other person want to be communicated with?’ they just do what’s the easiest for them”- Richard Laermer, business-book writer, Ridgefield, Conn. �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: Siddie Nam
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: superhua
While phone calls may be preferred by some, even this type of conversation are being seen as a burden; “when I see my phone ring, I actually get annoyed.”�- Thurston �
Texting is seen as a quick, convenient, and accessible method of communication across many demographics. �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: Dan Zen
Texting has actually surpassed phone calls as the most popular form of
communication in the UK according to findings from
The Office of Communications (Ofcom). �
�
Email remains a staple of modern business
because of its versatility, and legitimacy. – small
business.chron.com�
Source: Screen Shot: Jacob MacDonald
Facebook, Twitter, and other mobile technology continue to be a popular alternative in order to get someone’s attention in a semi-public domain. � Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: acidpix
With all of these �alternatives at your �fingertips, you risk � oversaturating
the means of � communication � and generating � discontentment � rather than
the intended � result. �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: dboy
“I felt that when he had a minute he expected me to have a minute” �– Lisa Richens, marketing consultant, Laguna Hills, California�
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: otakuchick
“Technology has created a situation where we are treating each other as though we were stalkers, and I don’t want to think [...] that way” – Sherry Turkle �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: Kuba Bozanowski
This behaviour generates the use of the term “carpet bomber”, one that covers all bases and bombards you with text, emails and phone calls, all in about five minutes. - Elizabeth Bernstein �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: The U.S Army
“There is a lot of anxiety out there, and we have to have a conversation with each person in our life, to sort of say this is how I work, what is the best way for you, let have a solution”- Elizabeth Bernstein �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: The U.S Army
In the end, we need to strive for The Ideal Goldilocks Effect: in terms of managing all of the social devices effectively, we want connections with people, not too far, not too close, but just right. �
Source: Flickr CreaEve Commons: DieselDemon
Sources
1. h4p://online.wsj.com/arEcle/SB10001424052702304708604577502672286303452.html
2. h4p://www.pwc.k12.nf.ca/ct3104/history_f.htm 3. h4p://148apps.biz/app-‐store-‐metrics/?mpage=submission 4. h4p://www.ibEmes.com/texEng-‐supplants-‐phone-‐calls-‐most-‐
popular-‐form-‐communicaEon-‐uk-‐725770 5. h4p://smallbusiness.chron.com/electronic-‐methods-‐
communicaEon-‐business-‐2934.html 6. h4p://www.wbur.org/2013/01/17/digital-‐lives-‐i 7. h4p://talkstreetsmart.com/wp-‐content/uploads/2011/12/
storytelling1.jpeg 8. Film260 Week 2 Lecture, Sydney Eve Matrix, Professor,
Department of Media and Film, Queen’s University