This reading to be honest is more extremely obvious stuff, lets think about it. If there is a means to talk to 1000s of people at one time then naturally you are not going to be able to see them physically all the time. I don't understand how they can make these assumptions as if it is negative that I have Friends I cannot talk to on the phone daily or see in person. I do agree that I would not be contacting someone I have not seen in years that I was best Friends with in high school to help me change a flat tire because I don't have my spare, or go to dinner with him and his wife in Chicago, or India. Sure that's something I would love to do but it's just not in the cards. Pew wants to imply that the Internet is changing the world in negative ways that I just don't see or understand. The worst thing about it is that it gives someone who like to be mean and start fights a great avenue to just argue all day without having to worry about being beat down like Nancy Kerrigan. Also what's wrong with getting a text or an email instead of talking on the phone? The only thing that is bad about getting a text is emotions are not conveyed so don't go being a smart ass God knows that can always come back to bite you. I did however find the numbers to be somewhat interesting. Seeing how much of the population doesn't use the Internet is really rather funny. I wonder how different this social networking survey would be if they included XBox live and the Ps3 online network. It's basically the same thing as Facebook with a microphone instead of a keyboard. Think about it... Would that be considered talking on the phone? Over Xboxlive? That would REALLY ruin some stats there PEW, I can't help I'm smarter than you...
-Whizzle Izzle... Back to the Internizzle...
Pew is not implying that the interent is negative--on the contrary, they are *responding* to those criticisms, that often come from the popular media, and showing, with their stats, that people are *more* connected due to the internet. It's important to read these things carefully to get the nuances.
ReplyDeleteha..I totally feel differnt than you do. I hate for people to send useless text messages. I don't respond back. I constantly tell people not to text me. Call or don't commuicate with me at all. i think it is a nusiance to waste time texting. I am a phone person, and love to chat by phone.
ReplyDeleteI didn't really get that it was negative, either. I took away that most people thought it was negative but it is actually the opposite.
ReplyDeleteYes, Dan is correct--Pew is trying to correct some widely held myths about the internet and social relationships.
ReplyDeleteI think Pew's report essentially is saying, yes there are fears and concerns when it comes to the internet tampering with the communities as we once knew them in earlier days, however, all is well in the land and the internet is not the culprit. Instead, the internet (such as all of the different ways to chat that you mention) actually enhances and strenghens the relationships around us and while being subjected to being on call all of the time, for the most part, people are reporting to be happy about their connections.
ReplyDeleteYes, because personally, I'm more connected, just by habit now...I mean I don't send meaningless text messages, but when I need to get a message out, email or text.
ReplyDeleteI am constantly sending and receiving useless text messages, ha. i would much rather text someone than talk to them on the phone, unless i have a lot to say and dont want to type it all! The downside to texting is that a lot of times people can come off as sarcastic when they dont mean to be...tone, which is very important in communication, is basically not existent in CMCs
ReplyDeleteI loathe it when friends just text me with "hey".
ReplyDeleteCan't you just send me a message of the point? Digital communication is meant to make like easier, not frustrate it! Haha. The pew report is telling us that it is giving communication another route of administration. So everyone should take their daily dose.