My artifact

For my artifact I have decided to take on the idea of mass communication  and alternative methods of formal speaking taking over the value of face to face communication. My main focus will be the vast movement of “texting” over the last decade, however I would like to explore other forms of highly used communication tools, such as email and social websites (I.E. Facebook). I believe this is highly relevant today more than ever because of the fact that people more often than not rely on texting, emailing, or “posting” to social sites, then actually meeting someone in person or even calling them to get their message across. I say over the last decade because I don’t believe a large amount people even knew what texting was ten years, let alone, were social sites even remotely used as much as they are today. It seems as though, as technology grew over the years, it enhanced everyone’s awareness of different ways of communicating and at some point, became everyone’s ideal choice to talk to someone. It’s one thing to say that technology has simply advanced over the years, but another to say that it could replace something that once upheld such value in relationships, which was hearing someone’s voice and/or “hanging out” with someone.

Even though email usage surpasses the days of texting and facebook when it comes to longest length of use, I still don’t see it as the number one way people chose to communicate years ago. Now it feel likes people are so quick to say “email me” or “send me an email” with your issue or problem. This goes for businesses, big and small for store complaints, suggestions, comments, etc. Even the education system heavily relies on emails to communicate with their students, parents, and other faculty members. At what point did parents start emailing their child’s teachers to discuss grades? What happened to scheduling a face to face parent teacher conference. I’m not saying this doesn’t still exist, it’s just the idea of convenience by just “shooting someone an email” that overshadows the appeal of taking time out of both party’s busy day, to actually meet up in person.

One can see the importance people have placed on mass communication through the fact that over the years every phone has been designed for people to access all of their communication tools at the click of  a button. Remember the times when Internet access alone was a big deal on a phone, even at a limited capacity? Now the high tech phones aren’t even considered cool unless people can access their emails, update their facebook and twitter, and text (unlimited of course) with ease.

There are several questions I had even pre-assignment that I will consider throughout the course of my research on this topic: Is face to face communication going to continue decline? Will the future generation social skills suffer because of new ways of  communicating? Is this epidemic generally age specific? Does it reach all cultures, social groups, and genders? For example do more adults prefer email, young adults-teens texting, adolescents facebook? There are endless questions, ideas, theories, and concerns one may develop through this topic and I intend to touch base with as many as I can.

Jasmine Evans