In my other (non-SK) life, I do work in the PR and social media field.
And having watched a bunfight here on the message board, I wanted to deliver a boring lecture on communicating online. So here goes:
And having watched a bunfight here on the message board, I wanted to deliver a boring lecture on communicating online. So here goes:
- When we speak to each other in person, we get the words, but we get inflection (WHAT is this thing CALLED? LOVE? What is this thing called LOVE? What is THIS thing called, love?), and we also get all the facial and nonverbal cues that go with the words and inflection. A raised eyebrow, a smile, a scowl, the shaking head, a lean-in or lean-out, the perfect gesture... It's an immensely rich form of communication.
- When we speak on the phone, even without the visual elements, we get the richness of the other person's voice.
- A book, a letter, a magazine -- we're robbed of that richness, but we are forced to contemplate the meaning of those inkstains on the paper. The interaction is all in our head. We don't talk back to our books (well, they don't respond at least!). We think about them.
- But this, this conglomeration of pixels. It's the worst of everything. None of the richness of face-to-face or even voice-only communications, but all of the instantaneity. We try TO SPEAK IN ALL CAPS or use to make up for the deficits, but it's not the same.
- Is it any wonder that when we interact in this desperately impoverished, blatant state we end up with misunderstandings, arguments, and sometimes hurt feelings?
- TAKE CARE with your words and your writing. The difference between the right word and the wrong one can sometimes be incredibly small. Read what you wrote (out loud if you can) before hitting post.
- Give people the benefit of the doubt.
- Try not to make statements out of your ability to prove logically. "Canadians are stupid." How many Canadians do you know? Have you read research that backs this up? Then try "THAT Canadian is stupid."
- When given the choice of being mean or being kind, try to fall on the kind side.
- And feel free to ignore me! Because all of this advice is just my opinion.