- In general, was communication clearer and more effective before the advent of social media? If so, in what ways? If not, why not?
In general, I do believe that communication was much clearer and more effective before social media. For one, when you are able to speak in person or over the phone it is quite easy to distinguish the tone with which a person is talking in. By being able to hear and understand the tone it gives you a better idea of what that particular person is trying to convey. During the new digital age, we are always trying to find ways to get things done quickly so came the invention of “text speak.” Through “text speak” words are shortened into mere letters and with the missing letters the word loses a lot of its meaning. Also, going back to the tone aspect, by reading a screen you are unable to distinguish between the tone with which a person is texting. A simple word such as “yes” in a text message can be misconstrued and misread in a few ways; it can be read as angry, exasperated, excited, sad, but the person reading the word doesn’t know the tone of the texter so it is very unclear in what they are trying to convey.
Unfortunately, at the rate we are going, talking seems to be becoming more obsolete than a necessity. It has always been easier to talk to people through a screen, what’s to stop them from making it their sole source of communication?
Put down the phones and screens and start enjoying each other’s company again! It will be worth it, I promise!
Pieces of Me 