Saturday, March 14, 2009
Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)
Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) is defined as any communicative transaction that occurs through the use of computers and computer networks. Examples that people might be more familiar with these days include e-mailing, instant messaging using MSN or Yahoo messenger, voice calls or video conferencing through Skype, blogs such as the one that you are reading now, as well as social networking sites such as Facebook and Friendster.
With the rapid sophistication of technology and the onset of digitilization, the phenomena known as Convergence is starting to take root. This refers to the merging of the Internet and traditional media companies as well as the coming together of computing, telecommunications and the media in a digital environment.
Gone are the days where people solely rely on pen-and-paper or real life face-to-face social interactions. In its place, we are able to interact with people across the globe in the blink of an eye and gain access to news that local papers deem unworthy of coverage -the possibilites are endless. Some homeworks these days even encourage the use of CMC to promote the sharing of opinions!
Article: Girl Scout banned from selling cookies on Youtube
In this instance, Wild is relatively safe since she had enlisted the help of her father to oversee the project. However, this may not be the case for many users of CMC. Unlike Wild, not every user has pure intentions when initiating communication with others through CMC. Therein lies several other issues, such as the emergence of Internet crimes.
Through the use of chatrooms,instant messengers, emails and other technology, ignorant souls may be led astray and duped in elaborate scams and identity theft resulting in loss of money. Even without direct communication with the perpetrator, information can be stolen from us through malwares, such as viruses, that are spread across computers. Although information transmitted via CMC may be traceable, it is extremely hard to do so in the case of professionals who cover their tracks. Apart from monetary crimes, some people might even be subjected to physical crime in the real world, such as falling prey to sexual predators.
As can be seen, the freedom to assume a personae of one's own creation through CMC can be used for both good and bad.
Discussion
Do you think that the shift towards Computer-Mediated Communication is a good thing ? Are people becoming over-reliant on the availibility of information online that they hardly pause to ponder its validity ?
7 comments:
Hi,,
I think it's a good thing as we can access information easier and faster....
Maybe yes... Maybe no... hehehe...... Sometimes I just rely on the information from internet without thinking of its validity,, cause I think it should be correct..... :D
Please comment on my blog,,, last chance... :D
Thank you....
C u....
I think CMC has became some what impossible for people not to rely on, in this current world, we are relying heavily on this means of communication to go about our daily lives. And like what Carla mentioned above ^^ Yeap, there are so many people who use it because of its rather efficient means and not give much thought about its validity. (: It's not a bad thing, but personally I feel people should at least try to be more aware of what they are using or getting themselves into, there are scams and crimes that take place because of people's lack of knowledge about the internet in general, but still I believe that the shift towards CMC is actually a good thing,I honestly can't see myself without it (: ha.
I would think of CMC as a tool which we can use to improve our lives. Like any tool, CMC can be use for good or bad, but to me, it definitely has more boons than banes.
CMC has permeated our everyday lives in more than just the communications aspect. People are able to transmit information across the world in the matter of minutes and even talk to each other "face to face" when they are halfway across the globe.
Through proper education in the use of CMC, the number of victims in internet crimes can be minimised. There has also been increasing efforts in the policing of chatrooms and forums to make them safe places for the young.
I do see many people around me turn to the internet (especially wikipedia) whenever they have doubts, but so far there have not been much problems for them as the are able to assess the validity of the information. With our growing reliance on information from the internet, I believe that the skill of assessing the validity of information is an essential skill that should be taught in schools. In fact this skill should be applied on all information and not just information on the internet.
We can’t avoid using CMC in this era without losing out, since timely info = money. CMC gives us so much and allows us to stay in contact with our loved ones. In fact, I believe it is one of the best tools EVAR. Yes, we cannot deny the cybercrimes that comes along with the use of technology. Our privacy, property and sometimes even lives are endangered. However, to think of the benefits CMC can provides us I guess it’s ok to close an eye.
At times, I feel that the information found online is more credible than our local press. K nvm bout that. We probably need a reminder to question ourselves not to trust all the info online. Whether its BBC, NYTimes etc. Because a credible webpage doesn’t necessarily mean all the journal/articles are credible. Alright I may not have stuff to back up what I’ve said but imagine a programmer making use of loopholes to post false stuff on BBC without the admin finding out. Yea so i feel that maybe we should at least compare the info found from several websites before using it. Be it credible or not.
Seems like the use of CMC is really rampant in modernized countries, to the extent that living without it is unthinkable. Perhaps we are all a really pampered bunch eh ? I guess education would really play a part like what you guys have mentioned. Instructors/Teachers/Lecturers should emphasize the point that tools such as Wikipedia are user-edited, and hence information can be put up by any Tom, Dick and Harry.
As such, we should keep an open mind, assess the information using our current knowledge spectrum, and always keep an eye out for any sort of credibility or reinforcing articles from alternative sources.
I still remembered editing Fourier's Law in Wikipedia for the lulz.
Guilt took over me and I changed back in 5 mins x(
haha it's true that we have got to use CMC nowadays..
I myself will check through a few sources first before deciding whether it's valid.. well, unless I'm feeling lazy. :P It's something that was taught to me over the years of education.
Well, CMC does allow communcation with friends even though they're in some other part of the world, which is great! I can't imagine writing a letter to my dear friend who's studying overseas and then waiting for months before a reply comes back.
Many people nowadays plan events on Facebook. Gone were the days when you need to write invitation cards, paste postage stamps and then drop them into the postbox. Now, with just a little typing and some clicking to add the friends whom you want to invite, friends will get your invitation almost immediately! You end up saving time + money used on the postage. CMC makes life so much easier.
Well, there is also a downside as well.. One of my friend's fren, who was late for their meeting actually sent out a facebook message to her friends 30min before the meeting time, telling them that she will be late and asking them to go on without her first. Usually 30min before the meeting time, most people would have left home towards their place of meeting already. No one received her message, and they ended up waiting 2 hours for her. In times like this, she should have just sent a simple sms to her friends and this problem would not have arised.
Therefore, CMC is indeed helpful, yet one should learn to be flexible, know when to use it and when to rely on other modes of communication instead. :)
Post a Comment