Communication failure
Communication overload - Sounds familiar? Post the internet and social media revolution, we are being bombarded round the clock with information, news, messages, mail, images, data...So much interaction, exchange of communication, voicing of opinions, yet are we actually communicating?
As compared to our previous generations, we are a much more networked, connected lot, but paradoxically we are also the most isolated and lonely. Most of the time, when we communicate, either the message does not go across properly or is misunderstood by the recipient.
So many barriers occur in our communication with each other. Technically we have removed most barriers and gaps, but the fact is that mental and psychological ones have increased.
Take for example, the voicing of opinions on social media. Earlier people used to have addas or informal chat sessions where such discussions would take place face-to-face. Today, most of us are either too busy to meet and catch up, or are separated geographically, so we have most discussion groups online. Members voice opinions on all and sundry topics, and these raise the hackles of some while some support them. In a face-to-face interaction, misunderstandings and arguments can get cleared on spot, but here, one comment gets misinterpreted or blown out of proportion, and it leads to an uproar online. Friendships are broken, egos are hurt, relationships get soured. So isn't the communication unsuccessful?
Another instance is the 24/7 barrage of news we are forced to deal with. After a point, our brain switches off and refuses to absorb any more. So used are we to daily seeing breaking news headlines, that no earth shattering news really moves us or affect us for a considerable time. Soon we are ready to move on. Another communication failure.
The art of letter writing has long been replaced by sending sms-es and e-mails. No one bothers about niceties of greetings and polite opening lines in these short forms of communication. So what is supposed to be to-the-point may actually mean something else to the receiver. A letter takes time to build up the context before addressing the matter, but e-mails are short and business like. Read it, forget it, move on. Sometimes the recipient does forget the message itself!
Maybe I am an old timer but I prefer the earlier languid ways of communicating. When we had one news channel with a half-hour news bulletin, that was eagerly waited for all day. When people wrote lengthy letters to each other. When receiving an e-mail was an experience only common in offices and formal settings. When people still had time to make that phone call and catch up on old times. When addas used to continue till late at night, with people taking sides and switching them as quickly. When the warmth was still present in human interaction and communication.
As compared to our previous generations, we are a much more networked, connected lot, but paradoxically we are also the most isolated and lonely. Most of the time, when we communicate, either the message does not go across properly or is misunderstood by the recipient.
So many barriers occur in our communication with each other. Technically we have removed most barriers and gaps, but the fact is that mental and psychological ones have increased.
Take for example, the voicing of opinions on social media. Earlier people used to have addas or informal chat sessions where such discussions would take place face-to-face. Today, most of us are either too busy to meet and catch up, or are separated geographically, so we have most discussion groups online. Members voice opinions on all and sundry topics, and these raise the hackles of some while some support them. In a face-to-face interaction, misunderstandings and arguments can get cleared on spot, but here, one comment gets misinterpreted or blown out of proportion, and it leads to an uproar online. Friendships are broken, egos are hurt, relationships get soured. So isn't the communication unsuccessful?
Another instance is the 24/7 barrage of news we are forced to deal with. After a point, our brain switches off and refuses to absorb any more. So used are we to daily seeing breaking news headlines, that no earth shattering news really moves us or affect us for a considerable time. Soon we are ready to move on. Another communication failure.
The art of letter writing has long been replaced by sending sms-es and e-mails. No one bothers about niceties of greetings and polite opening lines in these short forms of communication. So what is supposed to be to-the-point may actually mean something else to the receiver. A letter takes time to build up the context before addressing the matter, but e-mails are short and business like. Read it, forget it, move on. Sometimes the recipient does forget the message itself!
Maybe I am an old timer but I prefer the earlier languid ways of communicating. When we had one news channel with a half-hour news bulletin, that was eagerly waited for all day. When people wrote lengthy letters to each other. When receiving an e-mail was an experience only common in offices and formal settings. When people still had time to make that phone call and catch up on old times. When addas used to continue till late at night, with people taking sides and switching them as quickly. When the warmth was still present in human interaction and communication.
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