Disciplines
Communication Technology and New Media | Social Media
Abstract (300 words maximum)
The changes that language, discourse, and media undergo on a daily basis directly affect how people relate and communicate. In my project, I researched how communication is changing and the ways that those changes affect how able and willing people are to connect with one another on a meaningful level. With recent changes in technology and discourse, people have smaller attention spans and less willingness to really get to know people. As many rely more and more on technology for information, they rely less and less on other people and “real” communication. People have smaller attention spans in most areas, conversations and relationships included. Even though it is no longer true that individuals are considered eloquent if they choose to communicate in Internet shorthand, they don’t necessarily choose to connect with people as deeply as they most likely could. I’ve explored the data supporting these ideas as well as connected them to why people no longer seem to be able to communicate in relationships, romantic or not. Also, if people are losing the ability and willingness to connect verbally and emotionally now, what changes might the future hold?
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Communication & Media
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Jeanne Bohannon
Just Text Me
The changes that language, discourse, and media undergo on a daily basis directly affect how people relate and communicate. In my project, I researched how communication is changing and the ways that those changes affect how able and willing people are to connect with one another on a meaningful level. With recent changes in technology and discourse, people have smaller attention spans and less willingness to really get to know people. As many rely more and more on technology for information, they rely less and less on other people and “real” communication. People have smaller attention spans in most areas, conversations and relationships included. Even though it is no longer true that individuals are considered eloquent if they choose to communicate in Internet shorthand, they don’t necessarily choose to connect with people as deeply as they most likely could. I’ve explored the data supporting these ideas as well as connected them to why people no longer seem to be able to communicate in relationships, romantic or not. Also, if people are losing the ability and willingness to connect verbally and emotionally now, what changes might the future hold?