By Loo Qiu Xi
Technology - The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. (Oxford Dictionary)
Technology - The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. (Oxford Dictionary)
Practical - (Of an idea, plan, or method)
likely to succeed or be effective in
real circumstances (Oxford Dictionary)
I recently read an article on BBC News with the title “We don't talk
any more – is technology harming communication?” The emergence of such article tells
us that businessmen and academicians alike have begun worrying about the
effects of technology advancement on communication. Are we communicating better
with technology? Has modern technology made us damage both business and society
with our lazy ways?
As we know it, technology ought
to evolve as it makes our life more effective in our daily life just like it is
defined in the Oxford Dictionary. However, people are criticising that despite catalysing
communication to a certain extent, technology also substituted the conventional
face-to-face conversations we once had. Ask any young adult you see, would he
walk to his friends for a conversation or would he rather text them? Most of the
younger generations today would choose to use the pervasive messaging
applications available today than to walk a few short steps. Correspondingly, some
technology firms like Atos has taken out email as their internal communication
tool because of its lack of human touch and sincerity.
What about
you? Are YOU communicating any better with technology?
(Source: BBC
News, 29 December 2011, We don't talk any more – is technology harmingcommunication?)
As for me, technology is always an advancement that helps people. But to say it improves the way I communicate is something I am not sure of. As we all know, communicating face to face is always giving better impression than through technology. I would love to catch up with friends face to face too, but we can't deny the facts that technology sometimes help to decrease the distance with friends that live far away :)
ReplyDeleteI do agree that technology has improved the way we communicate with other. However, I prefer face to face communicate instead of through the technology because I do not feel the reality between the communicator. Technology has given a great chance that shortens the distance. Even they can face to face communicate through apps - skype. However, personally do not like communicate through the technology. It does not close up the relationship in my perspective. Social networking such as whatapps, wechat, facebook and so on, improving the way with communicate. We can just replay or revise the conversation anytime. In a way is good, in the other way is not good for having a record of it. It because people can share the record any moment they like. It shown lack privacy and create the trust less issue as well.
ReplyDeleteI also prefer to be face to face conversation than using technology and i do agree that technology improved the way we communicate but i don't think that technology give the real impact when we communicate with other.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it is because we do not have loved ones who are far away most of the time.
ReplyDeleteWanie, I am sure you appreciated technology when your sister was in Japan. Didn't you?
It is true that we do appreciate technology when our loves one is far way from us. For example, my sister did her in internship in Osaka, Japan for three months. Along those period, it is hard if we want to call her often because it is expensive. Therefore, we use Skype in order to see and hear her voice. Plus, in my first year in UNIMAS, I kind of homesick. So, I use Skype and Facebook to connect with my family often. In my some part, we do communicate better with technology but I prefer face-to-face communication in nearer place so that it will avoid misunderstanding.
DeleteThe rise of Internet, widespread use of telephone, and the advent of social media have changed the way we live and maintain our relationship. Sometimes, we are more attuned to friends thousand miles away than someone in front of our faces and this situation promoting antisocial behavior. But, technology also can make us stay in touch and decrease the distance with family or friends that live far away. I think, it all depends on users itself.
ReplyDeleteDear Nurul Fadzrena, i'm totally agree with you. Yes, technology help us to decrease the distance with our loved ones. But, people are the one who responsible to improve their communication either with friends or family.Everything depend on you:)
DeleteAm I communicating any better with technology? Yes and no. Yes, because in a way it closes the distance gap between my friends in overseas and I. Furthermore, in a way non face-to-face conversation can of an advantage to us especially when it comes to sending bad news. I mean it is so much comfortable than saying it directly to a person, at least for me. No, because I don’t feel the human connection as much as I experience it face-t0-face. Sometimes it kills of the only connection you have with that person once the texting and calling stop. I still cannot fully answer to your question, but one thing is for sure – I can’t live without technology.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Venisa. It is a yes and no. Technology has made communicating with people around the world especially family members who are far away so much easier. It has helped so many of us from West Malaysia who came to UNIMAS to keep in contact with family so I'm ever grateful. However, with the convenience, people have misused it as they now think it's easier to send a text rather than make a trip to meet someone. To me, it isn't technology's fault, it's how we as people have abused it.
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