This assignment started out by requiring me to watch a lecture video by professor Gernsbacher, which examined how the internet is changing the way we communicate. Next, we had to read 2 articles, including one by the New York Times. Finally, we had to make a discussion board post explaining if the internet is making communication briefer and less formal, what it means to prefer intransient communication over transient communication, what it means to prefer asynchronous communication over synchronous communication, and describe a situation where there was a preference to communicate asynchronously.
The lecture video began by talking about how common cell phones are these days around the world, and how they are used for everything. However, it was explained that the internet is not making communication less formal, explaining how textual slang dates back centuries. For example, in 1917, Lord Fisher used the phrase “OMG” in a letter to Churchill, and emoticons have been in text since the late 1800s.
Next, it explained that the internet is not making communication briefer, as informal registers for communication have always been around. For example, a letter in 1862 by Victor Hugo just had one character, a question mark, and a short story by Monterroso in 1959 was only 50 characters. Additionally telegrams used to be used for brief and fast communication.
Next, it was explained that we prefer intranscience over transcience. writing is more intransient or long-lasting than spoken communication and can be saved and retrieved later on. Next, it explained that we prefer asynchronous forms of communication over synchronous forms. Writing is usually asynchronous, whereas speech is usually synchronous. The main reason for this is that asynchronous communication is more convenient.
The Jaschik article as short and was just explaining that due to bullying, whiteboards on dorm doors at MSU are no longer permitted. The New York Times article was explaining how texting can be a tool to help kids graduate, apply to college, receive counseling, and more. It should be used more frequently because it is cheap and can even help low income high achieving kids succeed!
In my discussion board post, I explained first that the internet is not making communication briefer or less formal, using the examples I already discussed. I talked about what it means to prefer intransient communication over transient communication, what it means to prefer asynchronous communication over synchronous communication, as described above. Finally, I described a situation where there was a preference to communicate asynchronously. This was that students would much rather email their professor than call them or talk to them in person.
Reflecting on this assignment, watching professor Gernsbacher’s lecture video cleared up a lot of assumptions that people have about the internet. Everyone talks about how the internet has made communication briefer and references textisms, but the video showed how these features have been around since way before the internet. Additionally, everyone talks about how the internet has made everything so informal, but the video also countered this idea with facts. It is nice to hear about these historical truths because most of the public seems to be in the wrong when it comes to certain features of the internet.
Additionally, the video taught me the terms “transcience”, “intranscience”, “synchronous”, and “asynchronous”. I knew that most people tend to prefer long lasting communication over spoken communication, and convenient forms of communication are usually those that are not in-person. However, I did not know the vocabulary that related to these ideas, so I am thankful that this lecture taught it to me!
Also, I thought the New York Times article was very interesting. I know that kids use text messaging a lot, but I never knew the impact that texting interventions could have. Sending text reminders that remind people and give information about colleges can make kids more likely to apply and get in to schools, which is fascinating! If this really is the case, this type of intervention should be utilized more frequently in schools.
This assignment allowed me to confront some stereotypes about online communication, learn some new terms, and learn about a texting intervention that can lead kids to future success. This was full of great content, and I look forward to more assignments like this in the future!
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