Digital Communication in the Written Sign System of Human Communication - Research Paper Example

Communication Practicum 2 Name Professor Institution Course Date Abstract Social media coverage has reinforced and subdued communication for many people. Virtual relationships for instance, have majorly sabotaged physical relationships, since it has created platforms for texting, as opposed to speaking, the old-fashioned communication methods. However, for some people and other communities, virtual communications have not only improved over the years in that it has made distance just a physical measurement, rather than a determinant for both formal and informal communication channels. Social networking improves global socialization for both formal and informal situations. Various analogies of communication and the enabling mechanisms too that has diversified the aspect of social connections and communication are the core focus of this paper. Table of Contents Abstract 2 Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 Purpose & Aims 5 Key Research Questions 5 Methodology 6 Background 6 Literature Review 8 Findings and Discussion 14 Conclusion 19 References 21 Introduction Materialism greatly influences contemporary communication in the dynamic age positively. Better laptops, pricy smartphones and faster internet channels are examples of materials that are crucial for enhanced online, and offline communication among many people in the digital age. The suitability of material possessions to certain communication settings determines the quality of communication. For example, comparing the various feature phones that exist in the industry to the newer smartphones being introduced and that have expanded and grown exponentiallyhighlights the essence of materialism in digital-age communication. Smartphones provides numerous dialogue settings from social networking, to new age communication and social applications, which have made digital communication not only fast, but also relatively cheaper. Arguably, cheaper and faster transportation infrastructure also plays a vital role in enhancing physical communication. Through social media, people have been able to create social relationships with people from different continents, and this has thus made it easier for people physically visiting their newly found connections, both on business and friendship purposes. Decades ago, in the absence of social media, internet connectivity and social applications such as Skype, such relationships were absent due to the lack of composed transportation and communication infrastructural setting present in the modern day. The digital age, has hence diversified communication, improving its current state, and even creating greater heights for social communication. Purpose & Aims The core aim of this research was to establish the connection between material possessions and communication in the digital age. The key goal is to establish the relativity between material objects and communication, both from a physical and a virtual perspective. Other aims include: 1. To determine the extent to which embodied experience and materials or objects remain profoundly fundamental in the context of the digital age 2. To evaluate various analogies of communication with reference to the digital era 3. To critical examine the role of material objects in relation to fostering or limiting communication 4. To deduce the relationship between material possessions and communication in the context of the digital age Key Research Questions This research exercise sought to address the following key research questions: 1. To what extent embodied experience and material, objects remain a profoundly fundamental, if not more important, part of the so-called ‘digital age’. 2. What are various aspects or analogies of communication in relation to the digital era? 3. What is the role of material objects in fostering and hindering communication? 4. What is the connection between material possessions and communication in the digital age? Methodology The research materials mainly used through the research will be secondary journals whose insights are equally effective in developing a sound research. Online peer reviewed journals discussing various aspects of digital communication, inclusive of the role of material objects in fostering and hindering communication. Newspaper articles and magazine review pertaining to the subject present favorable source of information for the research, and will be deeply employed in the sourcing of information for the project. Likewise, books and similar sources with vital information will also be used in the research. Background In the digital world, online communication is valued by organizations as a way to increase competitiveness and reduce organizational costs (Yuka et al, 2007). Online networks have also assisted organization to overcome physical boundaries and expand into global markets. The online culture has been developing and over the past few years, it has become the new transitional trend for both formal and informal communication. Though treasured greatly, online communication poses a major threat to individual working and group performance in organization. This is motivated by the distractions that online communication present, coupled with the ease of communication, which tailors increased communication, and reduced concentration on organizational goals and objectives back in the physical world (Yuka et al, 2007). Different cultural backgrounds view digital communication differently. Western nations value digital communication more than African and Asian communities, whose preference is more inclined on physical communication. One of the key challenges presented by online communication across different nations is the variance in culture. The etiquette of digital communication is deteriorating, and the cross-cultural differences thus shows variance in the way communication is handled, observed and even perceived in the global context (Matteve& Nelson, 2004). Cross-cultural communication, however, is positively reinforced by digital communication, and thus it prospers better on an online basis, compared to a physical one. Multicultural team performance in a variety of organization heavily depends on online communication for better results, a trend that cultivates diversity at the workplace with positive yields such as higher productivity, compared to multicultural teams in the physical workplace. Besides the organization setting, communication behavior in the digital age boost marital communication as well as fosters improved parenting, compared to the old communication methods applied previously (Rehman&Holtzworth-Munroe, 2007).Westerners particularly benefit majorly from digital communication, fostering long-distant relationships and long-distant parenting. This process facilitates career advancement for parents previously put aside either their careers or their families, primarily focusing on one of the above at a time. Arguably, for most career parents, digitization of communication is a key advancement that enables them improves their productivity, both at the workplace and the domestic setting. Marital and parental satisfaction levels are improving significantly owing to the digitization of communication. As evidenced above, the digital age in communication is highly effective in improving career and domestic satisfaction. Globalization of organization, which is responsible for improved productivity and economic stimulation, largely depends on internet communication for its success. Cultural unity and cross-cultural communication, both in the formal and informal communication sectors, also owes digital communication much gratitude for its success. The analysis of improved technology in communication as a negative aspect should be widely ignored, since the digital age in communication ferries with it countless advantages for all aspects of life. Visual communication is much effective as compared to verbal and non-oral communication in any given setting (Propen, 2007). Visual communication brings about prompt results, instant feedbacks and fosters non-verbal communication understanding, hence creating an atmosphere of trust and reliability. The introduction of the internet as a way to communicate, up to a few years ago, relied solely on written communication, and verbal communication through cell phones and landlines. Regardless, the introduction of video conferencing and video chats, incorporated verbal and visual communication into the online communication platform. Addition of newer advancements in communication is only forecasted to improve communication in the future, hence arguing that the digital age is not out there to destroy communication, but rather create easier ways to communicate and improve current communication methodologies. Literature Review The digital age is majorly involved with the computerization of communication systems, a science and art that mobilizes resources that seek to reduce the costs of communication, and improves communication among a variety of people from all lifestyles (Ben-Shaul, 2002). Ben-Shaul (2002) argued that digital communication eliminates the economic and social barriers to communication, hence creating a communication environment that entirely ignores communications barriers. The contemporary communication surpasses physical communication, limited by geographical settings, creating newer means of communication, and even stronger relationships among communicating parties (Ben-Shaul, 2002). The digital age thus presents better consoles for communication, and reinforces physical communication, irrespective of the cultural, social and economic barriers bounding the communicating parties. The internet also presents better opportunities to further one’s knowledge and thus has greatly improved the social intelligence of communicating parties, with search engines such as Google more intellectual communication (Wallenius, Punamaki&Rimpela, 2006). As much as it fosters improved social intelligence, malicious individuals manage to penetrate the social sphere of the digital world and impose dangers to children, infants and teenagers, through heinous acts of violence, pedophilia, and cyberbullying, all new crimes that heavily rely on social media, and digitized communication as the enabling agent. Digital communication hence brings in positive attributes to communication as well as a few negative facets, otherwise avoidable in the absence of digital media. Digital age communication has also been beneficial in the government setting, in that in the contemporary world, citizens overcome barriers such as distance and time, allowing citizens to interact with their elected parliamentary representatives through online communication (Coleman, 2006). Dependent on an asynchronous co-presence, digital communication mainly depends on one key item, which is timing. Relationships that were otherwise impossible, such as relationships between commoners and their parliamentary elects, or celebrities are now possible all thanks to digitization of communication. This highlights the numerous pros associated with improved communication, hence proving without a shadow of doubt that digital communication increased embodied social experience and eliminates materialism and social barriers to effective and efficient communication. Digital media cultures are now an indispensable part of the modern global village (Scharer, 2013). People argue that improved communication is not dependent on the technologies presented but rather improved education standards, as well as social awareness theories that stimulate interpersonal relationships greatly. This argument lack focus, since it largely ignores the truth that in the absence of technological advancement, communication would still be centralized to geographic regions, hence the absence of cultural diversity, which is the key stimulator of improved relationships. The digital age has not only fostered adult and youth relationships but has also largely enhanced children communication, which on a moral pedestal, has been diagnosed as more destructive than constructive. From mass media, to social media, globalization of communication exposes information to underage children that is mentally challenging and possibly scaring for these underdeveloped minds (Scharer, 2013). Children as young as the ages of 5 are exposed to undesirable external communication channels, that exposes them to harmful information such as pornography, and information that is relatively of greater magnitude for their developing minds to process. The digital age has hence proven to be the stimulator of development in various fields. Materialism for instance associated with the digital technology in communication is mainly the key source of advancement of social communication in the digital era. Organizations understand the essentiality of global connections and increased communication, since it leads to increased profits. Organizations and the involvement of businesses in the industry of communication is the key source of the advancement in social communication in the digital age. Most technologies are mainly developed for organizations or as a way to make money. The more technology gurus are increasing in number, the more the capitalist order of the free world is stimulating them to device better technology for increased profits. For instance, in the absence of businesses, teleconferencing would be non-existent. Likewise, majority of the social websites have made the developers overnight billionaires. Materialism in the digital age is mainly responsible for a majority of improvements being included in the communication industry. Better cellphones are being developed every day, not as a way to improve communication, but rather a way to make profit and out do the competition in the industry. The capitalistic market we live in has led to advancement in social media, communication means and overall the improvement of the digital age architecture (Hagar, 2012). Material objects that facilitate communication, inclusive of the tablets and laptops are also changing in a very fast rate. The materialistic tendencies of the youth and people in the digital world have led to the development of even better gadgets and objects, such as better-improved versions of smartphones and their operating systems, which only results in better and faster communication. The materialistic tendencies of the youths in the digital age are also responsible for increased competitiveness in the digital technology industries, since everyone wants to own the latest smartphone in the market, with superior features to the last release. Material objects could be marginalized by economists and philosophers who treasure emotional relationships with other human beings as opposed to obscure possessiveness to material objects, but the in the absence of these material objects, there is a high chance that the nature of interpersonal relationships would be significantly low (Ognen&Shen, 2011). The connection between materialism in the digital world, capitalistic tendencies and need for increased social presence have all hand in hand brought about the outstanding digital inventions in the contemporary world. It is thus arguable that there is a healthy connection between our materialistic tendencies and improved means of communication among involved parties. Likewise, in the absence of the internet, the backbone of the digital age, much of the contemporary inventions would be mere theories waiting to be implemented in the future (Xia, 2007). This thus indicates that materialism thus has a positive influence on improved communication. Social media matters for a number of reasons since it has transformed the means of communication and brought in new means to communicate with people and between various organizations and institutions. Social media have altered the dynamics of communication in this digital age and it is evident that a majority of people in various life situations have continually been improving their nature as well as their communication methods. In the faster-than0-light changing digital atmosphere, gadgets and material objects have been a crucial component of the digital age that has promoted a number of organization to boost their productivity and develop newer deceives each day that not only stimulate growth in the communication arena. They also foster competition, an aspect that has led to the improvement of the communication methods and has brought in newer applications that make communication increasingly easy (Hattabaug, 2013). Besides the concentration on communication, the digital age has also led to the end of some material objects such as books, now that computers have replaced the old-fashioned way of handling education. Online schools have been established due to better communication methods being derived, and the increase in the number of people studying has skyrocketed, all thanks to the digital technology. Arguably, the digital age has thus promoted improved communication and further more increased and improved the aspect of communication among a variety of schools. Improvement in education communication has also been majorly fostered by communication, since with the internet the research capabilities of readers has been improved hence prompting them to read better, and understand that the teacher is teaching in class (McArdle, 2011). However, the digital age has abstracted reality, deeming social interactions ineffective and useful, which has led to reduced physical interaction between people, between parents and their children, and between managers and their subordinates, a tendency that has been widely noted to directly impact and influence the overall structure of the society (Ben SHaul, 2002). Quality communication is now not concentrated on, all due to the digitization of various communication methods, but rather the new approach majorly concentrates on the ways through which the individuals in question have improved their communication skills with the respective listeners. Quantity communication however, has skyrocketed too, since with all the digital information available organizations are able to share as much information as they can with subordinates, and other parties such as the stakeholders in organization thus promoting transparency in organizations as well. Material objects such as human contact and attachment for instance has been majorly affected by the digital age. The main aspect of human contact and attachment, which was mainly, reinforced with direct communication methods; non-verbal communication and face-to-face communication have all been made abstract, and included in the video chats that are currently being improved at an alarming rate. It is evident that human contact is quickly dispersing and taken for granted. This means that fewer meaningful relationships are being established through the digital age communication means whereas the alternative has been replaced by abstract non-fulfilling relationships (Rahman, 2007). For the women in the digital age, communication has fostered women relationships as well as their family connections with both their husbands and their children, which thus has been noted to bring about an aspect of equity in the relationships. Women empowerment through digital communication has made it possible for women to work at home and carry out their domestic delegations while making money and assisting out their husbands in the day-to-day expenses. Likewise, it has led to reduced dependence on their husbands, which has been an empowering tool for the women, but also a prime source of domestic issues and family breakups, with men feeling relatively inferior to their female companions (Anonymous, 2001). This thus shows that there are a number of positive attributes connected to the digital age ranging from simplified operations to even much tasking relationships among people in the digital age. Findings and Discussion It is ideal to note that technological advances have been essential in facilitating our engagement with the world as well as other individuals virtually possible. In addition, interactions with others in physical spaces, interpersonal interactions with significant others, and actual visits to physical places have taken a new social and political significance. This is an indication that material objects and embodied experience have been fundamental and important in the context of the digital era. In order to illustrate this claim, this research focused on using the essence of social protests evident in the digital era (Haider, 2011). One of the essential aspects of social protests across the globe vital for demonstration of the influence of the material objects in the digital era is the Arab Spring. This relates to social protests in Egypt, Tunisia, and other nations across the Mid-East. It is vital to note that one of the essential material objects in the promotion or execution of the social protests in these entities was the social media under the influence of internet (Gladwell & Shirky, 2011). Social media, internet, and valuable technologies were essential in the early stages because of their ability and capacity to enhance or accelerate social protests. Some of these material objects and social media platforms include Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and TwitPic. In Syria, the ‘Arab Fall’ as well as the ‘Second Arab Spring’ is still underway following the intensification and spread of the war. The influence or the role of social media is limited in this context. This is because of fears by the government hence the close monitoring of the online behavior by the government. In addition, the government seeks to integrate information learnt from the previous role of social media in the case of Tunisia and Egypt. This made the government of Syria to crack heavily on any attempt by the social media to fuel or accelerate social protests across the nation. The role of the government of Syria has been aided by the unfortunate role of twitter and Google thus facilitating the ability of the government and other oppressive regimes to exploit the common people through limiting their rights of utilization of the social media in the digital era. It is essential to note that material objects ranging from communication systems to internet and technological advancements have massive influences on the course of the social protests in the modern society (Garrett, 2006). This is evident in the diverse roles the social media and internet as well as technological advancements had in the previous social protests especially in the case of the Mid-East nations. Communication system in the context of the industrial society was under the influence of mass media in the form of television, radio, and print press. Such technologies were essential in enabling the society to exploit mass distribution of information in one or more ways. This relates to non-to-many or one-way message transmission. There has been a rapid transformation of communication systems towards the formation of interactive horizontal networks connecting the local and global aspects of the society. This has been aided by the essence of internet, digital media, mobile communication, and variety of social software tools. Some of the material objects in communication include podcasts, social networking platforms or sites, and videos. These material objects have essential in the promotion of the flow of information or messages from many-to-many. This is vital towards provision of alternative or options for the citizens to communicate and participate in journalism (Hoffman, 2010). Material objects in communication have been important or fundamental in the course of the social protests especially in the digital era. This is through execution of diverse roles and obligations towards bringing harmonious interaction and transparency among the modern leaders. One of the roles of the material objects in the social protests is organization of the protest. In the context of Egypt, the material objects were vital in the organization or coordination of the social protests. Prior to shutting off the internet as well as mobile phones by the government of Egypt, twitter and facebook as well as YouTube were vital in coordination and spreading of the word or information relating to demonstrations with specific dates. This is an indication that the material objects enables activists to organize and plan for the social protests hence effective and efficient virtual communication and interaction in the modern society or the digital era. Lack of the material objects would limit the number of individuals accessing the valuable information of the social protests. In addition, social media aided the ability of the citizens to participate in the social protest through provision of valuable information on the organization and coordination. This relates to the development of the group feeling rather than individual encounter on the social protest. Lack of social media or material objects of communication might have reduced the number of participants thus aiding the role of the government in quelling the protests. This was not the case in the context of Egypt as the objects were essential in increasing the number of participants in the social media thus making it difficult for the government to handle or quell the social protests (Castells, 2008). Another critical influence of the material objects in the digital era with reference to social protests is the shaping of the course of the social movement or narrative. It is ideal to note that the upper hand goes to the group with the ability to shape or coordinate a narrative during the chaotic situations. In the modern society, the victors have the ability to write history. This is also applicable in the real time ((Castells, 2007). During social protests, various activities such as looting and hooliganism take place. This leads to the constant shift of the narrative in favor of the government or the mass citizens protesting any social injustice. Social media had a great influence in shifting the course of the social protest narrative especially in the case of Egypt (Aday et al, 2010). This is through the spread of information via twitter and other social networking platforms on the role of the neighborhood watch group apprehending looters with police IDs on them (Walton, 2010). It is ideal to note that the statement might have been true or false. In spite of that, the statement was essential in shedding light on the course of looting during the social protest. In other cases, most regimes exploit young persons in the society by offering financial assistance to the individuals to toss a city thus making it look like protesters are turning the situation to be an ugly encounter thus providing an opportunity to clamp down. It is critical to note that the material objects especially twitter belied the narrative. This is through overcoming the plot by the government to illustrate the social protest as a dangerous anarchy. In addition, the social media utilized the words such as revolution, uprising, and revolt rather than chaos and unrest with the aim of expressing the course of a historic event or moment in relation to Egypt. This was critical towards transformation of the course of the narrative as global entities started viewing the course or social protests in Egypt as uprisings rather than chaos. Another role of the social media in relation to social protests in the digital era is execution of campaigns for the good and bad courses hence generation of pressure on the government regimes. This is evident in the constant pressure on the super powers and relevant governments to work towards elimination or provision of adequate solution to the social injustices leading to the social protests. Availability of much information on the social protests makes it critical for the governments and relevant authorities to focus on eliminating the social protests hence the aspect of addressing the social injustices (Khondker, 2011). It is ideal to note that the social media platforms have been crucial in execution of campaigns to eradicate, limit, and enhance the course of the social protests in the modern society. This is critical towards understanding the influence of the material objects in the modern society or digital era on the social protests. Information is one of the most powerful tools in the modern society. Its availability or accessibility is the most crucial aspect in the case of social protests rather than its integrity. Masses utilize this information to determine the outcome or course of the social protests hence virtual interaction and communication in the modern society. From this analysis, it is vital to note that social media platforms and internet are crucial or fundamental in the virtual communication and interaction among individuals in the digital era (Wasserman, 2011. This is through execution of organization or coordination, transformation of the course of the narrative, and increase in the level of pressure on the relevant authorities to handle the vital issue. Conclusion The core aim of this research was to establish the connection between material possessions and communication in the digital age. The key goal is to establish the relativity between material objects and communication, both from a physical and a virtual perspective. Material objects range from the enabling objects used in communication, such as computers, smartphones and cellphones, iPads and tablets alongside monetary possessions, which foster communication. Rich people for instance, can afford to travel abroad to meet new friends they have made through the internet. Material possessions can both foster communication and hinder it as well. For instance, money develops varied social classes, and the existence of these social classes defines a person’s social context, which hinders communication based on economic background. Technological advances have been essential in facilitating our engagement with the world as well as other individuals virtually possible. Moreover, interactions with others in physical spaces, interpersonal interactions with significant others, and actual visits to physical places have taken a new social and political significance. The research demonstrated the connection between material possessions and contemporary communication in the current world. It is highly recommendable for the government to incorporate social media platforms and internet as well as other material objects towards execution of its roles and obligations especially in the digital era. 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