Reflections On Strand One: Units Three and Four

The main objective in unit three, Theorizing CMC: Technology and Social Interaction, was to inform the readers to the myths and falsehoods associated with computer mediated communication. It appears that most of the fallacies about CMC come from the notion that face-to-face (FtF) communication is the best and sometimes only way to effectively communicate. To give us a better understanding as to  why a large number of  people hold such pessimistic views towards CMC, the text first explains the stages of technology.   Usually new technologies can only be experienced by those with money and people who work in specialized fields such as  medical/pharmaceutical , law, and entertainment industry. This leads to a rather large percentage of people who can't afford to invest in theses technologies nor do they have any work-related obligations that would give them incentive to use these technologies. Although the use of CMC is gaining in popularity, it is still foreign  to those who don't own a computer, a netbook, or a smart phone. The reality that CMC is not apart of everyday life and the perception that it is widely used by the "well-to-do" has created in the minds of many people that CMC is an inferior way of communicating because it can alienate those who are illiterate, those who don't have the financial means to purchase said devices, or  those who have a disability (lost of sight). Moving on to unit four, Describing CMC: Interpersonal Dynamics, the theme of CMC being bad was transitioned over into unit four but throughout this chapter the text highlighted  the advantages that CMC offers. The text states that our basic needs for social bonding are the same in CMC as they are in FtF communication. Essentially CMC is as equally important, if not more important than FtF communication as it relates to building and maintaining personal/professional relationships . CMC offers anonymity which can lead to boost in self-confidence. More importantly CMC offers it users an opportunity to slow down and think things through. In FtF communication words can often be spoken without thought but in CMC users have to take time to compose their messages and it's in those moments before they press send that they can read their words and be sure that what they are sending  is correct. In summary units three and four opened my eyes up to the debate of CMC vs FtF communication. Both forms of communication have their positives and negatives but attempting to live life using only one will be a slippery slope to climb. Honestly I think that the two forms compliment each other. In today's world people have to maintain a certain online presence while still having the wits to be able to communicate with others offline; when on the job, in school, or at home.