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Computer Mediated Communication Analysis

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Computer-mediated communication is a ubiquitous feature of modern life. Whether the communication is through Facebook, Twitter, email, instant messaging (IM), or such media as massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs,) the ability for human beings to communicate across time and culture is unprecedented in history. Never before have people been able to communicate so freely with strangers around the world. However, it lacks at least one critical aspect of face-to-face interaction: nonverbal communication. Therefore, it is imperative that we continue to find more and more ways to approximate the nonverbal cues provided by speaking in person. Nonverbal communication, loosely defined as all parts of communication other than …show more content…

Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of writing a carefully crafted email which has subsequently been misinterpreted by the recipient. Michael Duffy writes, speaking of interacting with clients via email, "Comments in e-mail form are often seen as curt and sometimes harsh. Without that interaction when the client is explaining her comments, the smallest, most benign suggestion can escalate to a crisis before you know it. And soon you'll assume the client wants to change the whole creative direction rather than simply make a minor tweak." (Duffy) So, robbed of the nonverbal cues (a shrug, a shake of the head,) which indicate that the suggestion is indeed small and benign, the email comes off as harsh and demanding. Email interaction is just one of many forms of computer-mediated communication. Often, people use a combination of many forms, such as instant messaging, texting, email, and chat to communicate online. In fact, in a survey by advertising giant Euro RSCG Worldwide, half of the respondents said they knew someone whose dating or marriage relationship started online (Friedman.) Match.com, a popular dating website, had over twenty million active members in 2008 (Match.com.) So it seems quite possible to at least begin a meaningful relationship over the internet, but it seems that it's not beneficial to rely on online-only relationships too heavily. In studies, it has been shown that

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