"Windows live messenger is the world's largest easy-to-use, consumer ready, instant messaging service that allows people to connect in real time, expressing themselves in a rich, convenient and fun way." -microsoft.com
The expansion and growth in technology over the past decade has lead to an unimaginable uprise in users of the internet and other online sources. MSN among these has gone through incredible development and to this day is available in 26 languages, is used in over 60 countries and by June 2006, had more than 240 million active accounts each month. I don't think anyone can deny that these resources are pervasive , considering the fact that 80% of north american teens use msn regularly, and the countless number who also own a cell phone and text message as well. I believe that this leaves us with a question to answer; that is whether or not this availability in technology has changed the humanity behind conversation by leading us to communicate largely through instant messaging devices.
This online community provides an easy way to talk amongst friends and anyone else whom you choose, but I believe it is this same apparent ease that has lead people to seriously consider that we may be losing our personal contact with the world. No matter the convienence, the more important matter is that MSN puts a barrier between you and whomever you are comminucating with. At times, this may make one feel more comfortable about conversing, but more often than not it can create a lot of problems. This lack of actual human contact during conversation can take away any vulnerability which one might have. I know for a fact that while on MSN people talk to individuals that they have never spoken with or met beofre, as well as people that they would never normally talk to in person. This creates an illusion of security and can lead people into dangerous situations, and allow them to partake in conversation that they would aviod otherwise. I acknowledge that MSN is not particularly bad in regards to being targetted by strangers, because you must consciously add or accept an invitation for a contact, making it easy to avoid people you don't know. However chat room sites focus on the same type of conversation, but in all reality, you can never really be sure who exactly you are talking to. In the past people have been caught for creating false identities and luring others into giving out personal information online. Of course one cannot act out of fear in all situations, but for the sake of common sense and safety, I would personally never partake and would advise that no one else get involved in a chat-room.
In reference once again to the protection that one feels when in control at their computer, this can be excessive and lead to an abuse of one's freedom in that respect. Not only do people feel more comfortable having conversations with almost anyone, they also feel more apt to say whatever they choose. I believe that during verbal communication, tone of voice, expression and facial gestures can have a lot more effect on what is being said even than the actual words that are being spoken. Hence it is not what's being said, but how it is being said that matters. With an instant message conversation, none of that is available, so messages can be misconstrued and misread simply because of that. In conjuntion with that idea, people feel more prepared to write offensive, negative or hurtful comments because there is no immediate retribution against the perpetrator. This has lead to cyber bullying existing as the most widespread dilemma among our youth and it is MSN that allows it to continue. It is also now the number one form of harassment for children and teenagers, mainly in North America, and across the globe as well. Considering the amount of power that technology leaves us with, it is unthinkable to imagine the amount of dammage that could be done if someone had the motivation.
Set aside from all of this, it is just the reality that we are slowly becoming more removed from others, and personally that is enough to want to more carefully consider our actions online. In no way do I belive msn is an entirely poor resource if used properly, so just make sure you are.
6 comments:
I totally agree with you Carly. I'll admit that I use MSN a lot and I regret it about 50% of the time because like you said, so much can be misunderstood. It's gotten me into a few sticky situations before. The thing is, it is a difficult problem to solve and therefore, it continues to grow at a rapid rate. I really do with that the cyber conversations would just stop, but since that isn't possible, we just have to figure out how to slow it down.
Carly, I really like that you have done your research. Personally, I don't get the need to be connected 24/7 - where is the quiet time? I know my brain needs a rest from all forms of communiation at the end of the day. (I always marvel at the students who sit next to one another in the computer lab and MSN each other back and forth.)
On the negative side, a lot more 'courageous' (sometimes hurtful) and stupid comments can be delivered without the sender receiving any of the one-on-one painful repurcussions. Do people use MSN and text messaging and email to break up with one another? To inform business associates of a failing business? To tell a child their pet has died? Is this our future? Where is the personal connection?
On the other hand, you can keep in touch with those who live far away and make them seem as though they are right next door. I guess for me it is finding the happy medium -if that exists anymore.
MSN is addictive, but it just shows that most people don't have something called self control. And there is better things than MSN. Why is it so good?
I've noticed, on several ocassions, another annoying habit that using msn has created. Quite often, I have noticed that in rough drafts of English assignments I may accidently use msn spelling errors such as: How r u? and abreviations used on the internent. Except, I have to admit MSN can be very useful which is probably why MSN, Facebook etc. growth rates have increased so much.
-.s
Thanks for the comments! I agree with all of your ideas as well. It is not msn that is solely the problem, it is how we use it, so it is really just up to us in the end how much we want to let it impact our lives.
MSN is a fast easy way to talk to your friend. I regularly use MSN, but i think i should be spending my time on other more important and useful things. I agree with Sarah, when ever i write an essay i end up using MSN termenology. But MSN also bennifits is many ways. say if you missed a day of school because you have the flu, you can ask your class mates about what you learned that day and if you have any homework, but talking to them over MSN.
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