TechTheDay

Technology doubtlessly changed the ways people communicate. It has also brought forth changes in the kind of interaction people have. It’s not only a matter of enabling long distance communication or the ability to send and receive different forms of messages. Different communication technologies have actually changed the way people perceive communication. This change has led to a less “connected” kind of communication. Technology-assisted communication has gone to the extremes, either becoming more centered on the straightforward delivery of the message or becoming trivial and random.

With the prominent role of technology, communication is no longer just about expressing and creating connections among people. In many cases, people simply communicate because they have to. For some younger people who frequently engage in online games, for instance, they only communicate to discuss matters related to their games. Worse, some only communicate to curse or “trash talk” each other. There are also many cases when people who live in the same house use their mobile phones to communicate with each other because of the convenience of free Internet calls (and their free home Wi-Fi). Some families get accustomed to simply leaving notes for each other because they hardly have the time to meet at home.

An article on Forbes lists four technology trends that are said to be disrupting the way we communicate. These trends are as follows:

Social Media – YouTube and Twitter have become a habit for almost every online denizen. From friends to family members, social media is becoming a common link. Social networks enable communication and connection among people regardless of the distance and time barriers. Relationships formed on social networks and conversations made therein may not be intimate but the connection exists and definitely preferable than having none

Mobility – As the Forbes article mentions, the mobile world will finally surpass the tethered world in terms of usage in 2014. Naturally, the ubiquity of mobile communication devices will change the way people communicate. Now, communication between at least two people can happen anywhere and anytime as long as mobile signals or Internet connectivity is available.

Big Data and Analytics – Big data roughly means a collection of data sets that are so extensive that it becomes very difficult to process them. However, companies, especially their marketing arms, have found ways to sort these data out to improve the way they communicate with potential customers. That’s why online ads are becoming eerily pertinent to many online denizens. Their activities are being monitored in systematic ways that companies are able to communicate with them in a somewhat “subliminal” and more targeted sense.

Cloud – Cloud storage or cloud computing in general has changed the way people access information or digital content. This is another aspect of communication technology that is making significant impacts on peoples’ lives. Through cloud computing, collaborations become easier. Now, verbal or written conversations are not the only kind of communication that is becoming prevalent. Business or work-related communication is also becoming easier and more convenient with the advent of cloud computing. Many web applications now enable discussions over the Internet and the simultaneous viewing of documents, images, videos, and files. Cloud computing has made plugged the holes in fully virtualizing business or social meetings.

Video calls, Wi-Fi and free web messengers, comment sections on online articles, and various other ways of “hi-tech” communication are making it easier for people to interact, albeit virtually. However, a Desoto study conducted in 2013 concluded that people still like live human-to-human interactions. Despite the fact that most of the interaction people have nowadays are of the virtual nature, most people still prefer personal interactions. Technology augments communication but it is unlikely to take away the desire for a “more human” or personal interaction.

It can’t be denied that communication technology has brought numerous benefits to the way people talk or exchange information. Now, communication has become considerably faster. Video calls make it possible to have better “connection” while talking on the phone or through the Internet. Communication has arguably become better or at least more convenient with the help of advanced technology. Technology may encourage and nurture more non-personal communication or virtual conversations but it does not take away the human choice of doing more personal communication.

Are the changes for better or for worse? The answer most likely depends on perspective.