Information Technology: Debate: Help plz!

[BomberGal]

Thanx Ella for this idea!!

I am currently participating in a debate with the topic, "That the use of information technology has ruined the art of conversation." We are on the negative - so arguing that the use of info tech hasn't ruined the art - or as we are going to argue, has enhanced it.

Any help would be appreciated!!

Thanx

 

[Rusty Brookes]

Originally posted by BomberGal
Thanx Ella for this idea!!

I am currently participating in a debate with the topic, "That the use of information technology has ruined the art of conversation." We are on the negative - so arguing that the use of info tech hasn't ruined the art - or as we are going to argue, has enhanced it.

Any help would be appreciated!!

Thanx

The simple fact that you posted here supports the notion that the use of information technology has enhanced conversation. The difference is that the conversion takes place in a different medium.

Furthermore, many of us have met other people through Big Footy. When we did meet each other, we spoke long and hard (oo-er) about our favourite sport.

 

[hawkfan5]

The use of computers has enabled people to communicate more easily and conveniently...

People can still have a conversation... but when it is not as convenient to them they can easily hope online or put on their microphone to chat to people overseas.

It has brought a different avenue for being able to communicate whilst not taking away anything from everyday conversation at school or in the workplace.

That is why it has enhanced our communication sources.

 

[Santos L Helper]

What the Internet has done is shorten our attention sp

 

[Danni]

The use of technology, especially email, has increased the availability of conversation, and the exchanging of information and ideas in a more speedier fashion. Unfortunately an email or such, cannot convey tone of voice or facial expression. It has left the flow of information to be just that information, and the lack of conversational tone has caused interpersonal problems with interpretation and suggestion of tone being left up to the recipient.

What may have been sent as a quick and concise email to send some basic information, has now got the ability to be the catalyst for communication breakdowns between people, unless the recipient comes to the same conclusion as the sender as to the intent of the email. The recipient left to their own devices could easily see it as a brush off, or an attempt to avoid an indepth discussion etc etc.

As much as it has enhanced our flow of information it has stiffled the emotion and personal interaction that can be just as pertinent as the information itself.

 

[red+black]

Originally posted by Santos L Helper
What the Internet has done is shorten our attention sp

Classic! That was v

 

[M29]

Soley deisgned for the puropose of looking at pornography at work by nerds long ago, the internet has another advantage. Conversations can take place with any number of people and any types of people, all around the world. Chat programs, forums like this are just many of the ways people communicate and more so through email. To overcome the boundaries of 'internet' communication, people use nice little smilies or type in CAPS LOCK TO CONVEY THEIR FEELINGS. Infact many like to feel real nerdy and throw in psuedo computer programing code tabs such as <sarcasm=printf> YOU SUCK! <end> to appear witty and clever. Of course, the downside of talking to people over the net is you may actually be talking to somebody like this guy---

Who is prentending to be some hot single blond bird.

 

[Santos L Helper]

Originally posted by M29
Soley deisgned for the puropose of looking at pornography at work by nerds long ago, the internet has another advantage. Conversations can take place with any number of people and any types of people, all around the world. Chat programs, forums like this are just many of the ways people communicate and more so through email. To overcome the boundaries of 'internet' communication, people use nice little smilies or type in CAPS LOCK TO CONVEY THEIR FEELINGS. Infact many like to feel real nerdy and throw in psuedo computer programing code tabs such as <sarcasm=printf> YOU SUCK! <end> to appear witty and clever. Of course, the downside of talking to people over the net is you may actually be talking to somebody like this guy---

Who is prentending to be some hot single blond bird.

Sounds like you're talking from experience?

 

[M29]

Originally posted by Santos L Helper
Sounds like you're talking from experience?

<angry>NO I'M NOT!<end angry>

 

[Santos L Helper]

Originally posted by M29


<angry>NO I'M NOT!<end angry>

Hehe....<timid>www.sorrydude.com </timid>

 

[red+black]

I agree little with what Dannii said. But I think electronic communication is a new language that has to be learned just like any other. Emoticons, acronymns and geek speak are the tools of the conversant technophile, and can be used to enhance one's electronic dialogue. While people may argue that emotion is lacking in emails, newsgroups, bulletin boards and IMs, one can retort that face to face communication is lacking in depth and detail. This is where online communication excels. Why do so many people form strong bonds via an internet connection alone, be it purely platonic, spiritual, emotional or even sexual?

I admit that the sender and recipient(s) of such dialogue both need to be well versed in the ways of digital communication, and this is an added complexity in the beginnings of conversation.

One just needs to look within these pages to find wit, sarcasm, intelligence, stupidity, anger, and any emotion or trait imaginable.

Applying information technology to conversation can be a problem if it is a substitute for real world communication. Old principles of moderation apply here, and information technology should be seen as a way to enhance existing friendships, as well as introducing new ones.

My 2c. Good luck with your debate.

 

[Bomber Spirit]

You've got the good side of the debate Chrissy. Like other people have mentioned already, just by getting on your computer you're able to chat to people that you'd never get the opportunity to otherwise. It's great for meeting people who have the same interests as you - and when you get to meet in real life you often feel like you already know each other even when you only see each other for the first time.
And like other forums, the internet has their own rules and their own language. It's a language with things like M29 talked about that is not like formal correct English. And of course, the person at the other end may not be really what they claim to be; but it's not like there are no liars in real life.
Has it destroyed conversation? The affirmative side will probably describe family settings where people spend all night in front of the computer or watching telly instead of talking to each other. Of people who have no social life in real life because they're on the net for hours every night. Of people who talk in letters and no-one understands the technical mumbo-jumbo they go on with.
Is an internet chat a conversation? MSN calls it a conversation. But as Danni's posted, it is very different to a face-to-face conversation. There's possible double meanings, you don't get the body language and those sort of things. So it's worth getting your first speaker to give a good definition of what "the art of conversation" is.