Friday 15 April 2011

Changes In Communications In A Modern World

By Bruce Jopples


The manner in which people communicate with each other has changed a lot in recent times. In fact, the types of communications in a modern world are so different from previous forms of communications that many older people don't even know how to use some of them. In general, it's faster, more informal, electronically delivered, and more creative.

In the past, communication was done primarily face to face, by telephone, or through a written letter sent through the postal service. Most people preferred face to face communication since it allows for higher quality communication complete with body language, tone of voice, voice inflection, and a generally more personal connection. When that wasn't available, a phone call was the next best thing. And written letters were normally the last choice since they were poorer forms of communication, and took longer to deliver.

Written communication has been practiced for thousands of years. And until recently, any written message would have to be delivered to the intended recipient physically in order for them to get the message. But this is not necessary anymore now that personal computers are so prevalent and email is used widely.

In addition, you still call someone on the telephone at home, but cell phones make it possible to reach someone even when they're not home. In fact many people have only cell phones and no land-line telephones in their homes anymore because they are so much more convenient and powerful.

But the biggest change has been occurring since the introduction of instant messaging on computers and even more so with text messaging on cell phones. These lend themselves much more to very short messages. And since cell phone screens are so small, this requirement of short messages is even more crucial.

Communication is becoming increasingly impersonal, less verbal, and more written words based. Instant messaging and text messaging have led to what is almost a new language composed of shortened phonetic words and acronyms. Words like u (you), brb (be right back), lol (laughing out loud), and y (why), are being used so much now that most of the population would have no problem understanding a sentence containing them like they would have ten or twenty years ago.

With the recent changes in communications in a modern world, new ways of communicating can be expected to continue to be introduced. And the most recent forms of communication will be more and more important to understand how to use as well. Technology and communication have been irrevocably intertwined with each other now and for the foreseeable future.




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