Communication Breakdown

Topic: Communication Technology

Source: Conformity and Conflict, James Spradley and David W. McCurdy (p. 79 – 87, 335)
“Anthropological Introduction to YouTube.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPAO-lZ4_hU
Facebook posts. www.facebook.com
Text messages sent and received.
“☆Guide to Asian Emoticons☆.”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifA1AQe_NF0

Relation: The “hypermobility myth” is the belief that when people have access to work while traveling, they will work more. The rapid advances in communication from fixed-lines phones to cell phones, desktops to laptops, snail mail to e-mail, etc. have certainly increased the level of accessibility of work for business people. But traveling does not provide a comfortable work environment. As Ms. Broadbent points out “Hotel rooms and airports are…‘not seen as an appropriate environment for substantive work’ and are mainly used for e-mail,” (Spradley 81).
The author also mentions how each communication device has a specific role. The fixed-line phone connects different households together. The cell phone is used for last minute logistics. Instant-messaging and voice-over-internet calls are used for multitasking.
Communication is important to the creation and maintenance of culture. Customs, practices and rituals were created by individuals in society. They were adopted within the society and communication allowed them to be passed on as the society progressed. For example, in the case of the Nacirema, “However, the medicine men do not provide the curative potions for teir clients, but decide what the ingredients should be and then write them down in an ancient and secret language. This writing is understood only by the medicine men and by the herbalists…” (Spradley 335-336). Only the medicine men and herbalists use the ancient, secret language. Communication needs a sender, a message and a receiver. Without all three parts, communication cannot occur.

Description: It’s Saturday morning and I begin my day. After walking the dog and getting ready for the day, I press the power button on my laptop. The green light power light flashes as the system boots up. I log into my computer and run Mozilla Firefox. Yahoo! is my home page. I open up multiple tabs and enter the following sites: FaceBook, EBay, Goal.com, HSU e-mail, HSU Moodle, UEFA.com, ESPN360.com, and YouTube.
I read a few posts on FaceBook. One reads “do laundry then go to u.s. cellular :).” Many of my friends post photos of recent activities. One photo looks like a group of friends enjoying dinner together. There are several photos from the AC Milan Fans Club of Pato and other Milan stars. People also share a lot of funny jokes and images. There is one of what looks like a popular TV star with an “epic” quote under him as if he is saying it.
After visiting FaceBook and EBay, I visit Goal.com to read the latest soccer news. Seeing no funny or exiciting soccer news to post on my brother’s FaceBook wall, I log into my HSU-e-mail. There are several updates about the discussion forums for BA 949. Then I log into HSU Moodle and visit BA 494. I also visit BA 104 to see if people have responded to my posts and comments.
I visit UEFA.com and ESPN360.com to see if there are any upcoming football fixtures. I then visit YouTube to watch a few episodes of Kenichi: Mightiest Disciple. Then I watch the following videos: “muay thai fail,” “Me estan matando Versión Metal,” and “El pendejo que se cree Goku.”

Commentary/Analysis: Communication binds individuals in society together. It is also how cultures are created and passed down. Many cultures communicate in different ways. The most noticeable difference in cultures is often language. Some cultures are more dependent on sign and body language than others.
I speak to my friends in English. My tone is lower and I speak slowly. My body language is very relaxed.  But when I speak Spanish to my parents, my tone rises and I speak faster. I also tend to use my body more in communicating. I will use my hands to emphasize phrases and even my fingers draw pictures in the air.
In the text, Mellor states that IM is used by people multitasking. In my life, FaceBook occupies that role. I may be logged in most of the day, but only visit the tab when I have received notifications, messages, or when I want to post on my wall or other people’s walls.
It is interesting how the author mentions the “most aggressive” adopters of new technology are immigrants. I think that may be the case in Europe and Asia. But in Mexico, fixed-lines are most common followed by cell phones. I recall having a conversation with a friend from Mexico who informed me that he had recently gotten access to internet at home. They had to run a direct line from Mexico City to his home in Sonora.
I also found it interesting how use of devices varies between genders. I recall when I got my first cell phone. I didn’t like texting. It took longer to receive and respond than a phone call. But the majority of my friends engaged in texting. I had to adapt to text. In my experience, texting is not efficient for logistics. I recall setting up meeting times with friends. I would respond “Be there in t < 5 min.” I would always arrive and have to wait for 5-10 minutes because they would say “I looked at the text a few minutes after I received it. I assumed you meant 5 minutes from then.”
I am still amazed at the different communication styles between genders in text messages. From my experience, women tend to use emoticons more than men. They also use upper- and lower case letters to emphasize words and phrases. Women put a lot of emotion into text messages. Men are not so enthusiastic. With regard to emoticons, different cultures also use different emoticons. For example, in America, we say “hello.” In England, they say “o/.” This gives the appearance of a person waiving. In Japan, they have very complex emoticons. In addition, they like to use kitty emoticons “=^.^=.”
The rise of smart phones such as the BlackBerry, iPhone, and Android, has enhanced the ability to communicate. When smart phones first came out, I was skeptical about camping in the parking lot of my wireless service provider to get a smart phone. However, now that I have one, I cannot see myself without it. Many of my computer’s functions are now found in my cell phone. A few of the tasks I can do on my phone include but are not limited to online banking, complete last minute purchases, watch videos on YouTube, and change my FaceBook status. Most importantly, I can check my e-mail anywhere and anytime. This has proven to be most beneficial because I am currently in Irvine. My e-mail account is linked to my phone. I can see upcoming information regarding classes and work. I can also reply to e-mails.
YouTube has revolutionized the way people communicate. As seen in “Anthropological Introduction to YouTube,” people communicate to a worldwide audience. They have never had face to face interactions with the majority of their audience. It has changed the way people communicate. People have found celebrity stardom through YouTube. Soulja Boy and Edgar (La Caida de Edgar) are just two examples of people whose careers started because their videos reached worldwide audiences.
As people from different countries, cultures, races, genders, etc. interact online, we begin to see a world culture. The current level of communication between people around the world is unprecedented. It will be interesting to be part of this ever changing landscape of communication and interaction.