After our discussion on flaming, cyber bullying, and inappropriate online communications, I went online to see what “google” had to say about the matter. I found and article titled, “Students Scorched by Online Flaming.” In this article the intensity of flaming, referred to as Online Disinhibition Effect, was portrayed through students who have been victims and even one who confesses to being the bully. In addition, this article discusses why this occurs, and some studies that were done to support their theory.
Similar to what we discussed in class, the origin of this online misbehavior is said to be that people are less worried about the consequences for their actions. In other words, not having to see the victim’s reaction makes them more comfortable saying things that they ordinarily would not say to their face. A study was done which supports the theory that people are more apt to cruelty if they are unable to see the person that they are inflicting it on. People involved in the study were told that the correlation of pain and memory was being tested. The “teachers” in the study were asked to shock their “student.” Teachers who were not able to see their student were more likely to continue with the experiment, and shock at higher voltages than those who were able to see their student. Some teachers even went to volts of 450 because they were not able to actually see that consequences of their actions. This can be related back to flaming because in both cases people are more likely to be cruel if they cannot see the target of the cruelty.
It interests me that people are capable of such behavior simply because they cannot see the expression on the victims’ face. I am guilty of sometimes hiding behind my computer to send messages, or ask questions that I may be less comfortable with in person, but I am able to realize that I am held responsible for my actions even when those actions are online. I am surprised that so many people do not share this sense responsibility when it comes to the internet.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Face-To-Face as a Last Resort?
It is amazing how much computer mediated communications (CMC) has impacted our lives, and how dependent people have become on it. Ironically enough, I was reminded of this by a Facebook bumper sticker. (Bumper stickers are a Facebook application which allows members to send “bumper stickers” usually of pictures or messages to friends.) This particular bumper sticker is a picture of a comic strip that says, “If we can’t solve it via e-mail, IM, texting, faxing, or phone calls, let’s resort to meeting in person.” I realize that like most Facebook bumper stickers it was meant to be silly. However, it is often the truth for a lot of people, at least to some extent, or it would have not have been subject to humor.
It seems more and more often that face-to-face communication is becoming a last resort. This may be especially true for many young people. I have personally experienced this because many of my friends exclusively use text messages to communicate with me. Also, I’ve noticed that most students, myself included, are more comfortable e-mailing their professors rather than calling or meeting them in person. I agree that it is often more convenient to use text messaging or e-mail, but how do you know when it becomes too much?
While in person communication becomes less and less common, I wonder what sorts of things are being sacrificed in order to have more instant computer mediated communications. Personally, I think that conversations tend to be less personal, and less efficient when there is not face-to-face or at least phone interaction. This is not to say that all computer mediated communication is bad, but I do not think that it should be used to replace face-to-face communication.
It seems more and more often that face-to-face communication is becoming a last resort. This may be especially true for many young people. I have personally experienced this because many of my friends exclusively use text messages to communicate with me. Also, I’ve noticed that most students, myself included, are more comfortable e-mailing their professors rather than calling or meeting them in person. I agree that it is often more convenient to use text messaging or e-mail, but how do you know when it becomes too much?
While in person communication becomes less and less common, I wonder what sorts of things are being sacrificed in order to have more instant computer mediated communications. Personally, I think that conversations tend to be less personal, and less efficient when there is not face-to-face or at least phone interaction. This is not to say that all computer mediated communication is bad, but I do not think that it should be used to replace face-to-face communication.
Online Vs. Face-to-Face Relationships
In class, we were asked to complete a survey to indicate what traits are most important to us in a person when forming a relationship. Soon after the completion of the survey, the issue arose of whether these traits can also apply to cyber, or online, relationships, and what is the difference between a cyber relationship, and a “real,” or face-to-face relationship. What are the benefits or disadvantages to these relationships, and can one really tell what a person is like without meeting them.
Before giving the topic much thought, I assumed that having an exclusively online relationship (no face-to-face communications) would be very dysfunctional. The reason I jumped to this conclusion is because with an online relationship, is it difficult to truly get to know a person. The person that you may be forming a relationship with is able to lie about even the most basic things about them such as their appearance, age, beliefs, occupation, and social interactions. All of these things are very possible to share via the internet, but can easily be falsified. In contrast, it is nearly impossible to lie about such traits in face-to-face relationships.
However, as I look all of the traits listed as important to me on the survey, I discover that many of them are difficult to discern even in a “real” relationship. For example, while it is easy to determine one’s age and appearance in a face-to-face relationship, it is usually impossible to know if a person is deceptive, jealous, unemotional, trusting, or supportive even when meeting them in person. If this is the case, then are face-to-face relationships really superior to cyber relationships? It seems that whether a relationship is online or in person it is still very difficult to truly get to know someone well enough to determine whether or not the relationship will be functional. While it may be a bit easier to be deceived in an online relationship, it is also very possible with face-to-face relationships.
This does not dismiss the other possible disadvantages to online relationships, such as a lack of personal contact, but it certainly is important to consider when comparing “real” and online relationships.
Before giving the topic much thought, I assumed that having an exclusively online relationship (no face-to-face communications) would be very dysfunctional. The reason I jumped to this conclusion is because with an online relationship, is it difficult to truly get to know a person. The person that you may be forming a relationship with is able to lie about even the most basic things about them such as their appearance, age, beliefs, occupation, and social interactions. All of these things are very possible to share via the internet, but can easily be falsified. In contrast, it is nearly impossible to lie about such traits in face-to-face relationships.
However, as I look all of the traits listed as important to me on the survey, I discover that many of them are difficult to discern even in a “real” relationship. For example, while it is easy to determine one’s age and appearance in a face-to-face relationship, it is usually impossible to know if a person is deceptive, jealous, unemotional, trusting, or supportive even when meeting them in person. If this is the case, then are face-to-face relationships really superior to cyber relationships? It seems that whether a relationship is online or in person it is still very difficult to truly get to know someone well enough to determine whether or not the relationship will be functional. While it may be a bit easier to be deceived in an online relationship, it is also very possible with face-to-face relationships.
This does not dismiss the other possible disadvantages to online relationships, such as a lack of personal contact, but it certainly is important to consider when comparing “real” and online relationships.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Computer Mediated Communications
When I think of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, computer mediated communications is the furthest thing from my mind, but in this particular episode CMC is a dominate theme. The writers of Buffy address an issue that is very relevant in today’s society. This is the question of whether computer mediated communication is an important and helpful tool, or a menace to society.
According to the librarian, who is a bit of a traditionalist, CMC is certainly a major threat. His opposite may be the woman that he works with who informs him that computers are a rapidly growing source of information and communication. Still, the librarian refers to the computer as an “idiot box” and uses terms like “skin it” as apposed to scan it. This highlights his distaste and lack of understanding for these technologies. He may be an extreme case, but he has a valid concern about how CMC is changing human interaction.
These fears become a reality when Willow develops an online relationship with Malcolm. Buffy has apprehensions about this exclusively online relationship because she does not know what Malcolm is like face to face (in this case, a demon seeking world domination). Willow shows the worst case scenario of what could happen when online relationships become dangerous. She chats with Malcolm so much that she stops hanging out with her friends, and skips class just to sit at a computer. Though Willow is an extreme case, she can be compared with a lot of today’s youth who sometimes miss out on face-to-face social behaviors for online socializing.
The writers continue to highlight fears of technologies when they show how easy computers have made it to find personal information about virtually anyone. This is noticeable when Malcolm finds Buffy with a web camera, and looks up her information within minutes.
The entire episode, while highly impractical, is based on a very real issue. An online friend probably won’t turn out to be a demon, but online relationships can be very dangerous if you don’t know who you are talking to. Also, with fast and almost infinite information readily available, it is frightening to think what could happen if the wrong person were to obtain certain information. I’m not saying that I agree with the librarian on his “idiot box” theory, but I think that these technologies should be used to enhance communications, not replace them.
According to the librarian, who is a bit of a traditionalist, CMC is certainly a major threat. His opposite may be the woman that he works with who informs him that computers are a rapidly growing source of information and communication. Still, the librarian refers to the computer as an “idiot box” and uses terms like “skin it” as apposed to scan it. This highlights his distaste and lack of understanding for these technologies. He may be an extreme case, but he has a valid concern about how CMC is changing human interaction.
These fears become a reality when Willow develops an online relationship with Malcolm. Buffy has apprehensions about this exclusively online relationship because she does not know what Malcolm is like face to face (in this case, a demon seeking world domination). Willow shows the worst case scenario of what could happen when online relationships become dangerous. She chats with Malcolm so much that she stops hanging out with her friends, and skips class just to sit at a computer. Though Willow is an extreme case, she can be compared with a lot of today’s youth who sometimes miss out on face-to-face social behaviors for online socializing.
The writers continue to highlight fears of technologies when they show how easy computers have made it to find personal information about virtually anyone. This is noticeable when Malcolm finds Buffy with a web camera, and looks up her information within minutes.
The entire episode, while highly impractical, is based on a very real issue. An online friend probably won’t turn out to be a demon, but online relationships can be very dangerous if you don’t know who you are talking to. Also, with fast and almost infinite information readily available, it is frightening to think what could happen if the wrong person were to obtain certain information. I’m not saying that I agree with the librarian on his “idiot box” theory, but I think that these technologies should be used to enhance communications, not replace them.
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