It appears that we, as a global society, are in the midst of a serious dilemma. While it would be foolish to under-utilize the power of our most recent communicational technologies, it has become apparent that there are legitimate and dangerous side effects associated with our current involvement with, and application of, cyber technologies. In this project, I will be studying the relationship between recent advances in communicational technologies and architecture, in order to analyze the current benefits and setbacks of both cyberspace, which has been created by various technological media, and the actual physical spaces which we live in, so that interpersonal communication in our physical world may be improved through the careful integration of the powerful and endless capabilities of cyberspace Gustavo Fischman(2005, 191).
Architecture and Communication History
In recent history; however, significant advances in technology have seemingly shrunk the world that once seemed so vast. The internet now allows us to access the most remote parts of the world instantly, with the simple click of a mouse button. The speed and convenience associated with the internet, and all other sorts of technological innovations, has forever changed the way we find information and communicate. Hand-held devices now allow individuals in different countries to see, speak, and type to one another in real-time Chayko., M. (2008).
There was a time when newspapers were the only source of information regarding the social happenings but now there are multiple channels for the same, Television, Internet, Handhelds they all are good enough to give you an update within seconds however there are other important channels that still exist and interest the masses, that is face-to-face interactions, group discussions etc. these have their own capability and importance and hence the architecture of communication has a history of physical space and the development of technology has added the advantages of the cyber space, lets discuss the contrast between these two to understand the Architecture of communication in today’s scenario(Paul C. Adams , 2005).
Cyber Space and Physical Space
There is something that has killed the boundaries, has brought all geographies together has changed the definition of distance and that is “Technology; the cyberspace now created allows us to remotely communicate within a fraction of second regardless of the geography and talking in the modern terms its fast, its cool and its effective however it can never justify itself in the place of Physical space. Let’s study the diagram below. There are several cyber communication channels are listed under the category (one2one), (one2many) and (many2many) now if we observe closely we will be able to understand that regardless of the group size there is a lack of physical connect and hence the type of bonding in either of these channels will be feeble, on the other hand a simple (one2one) physical connect will give great value to the particular relation considering it will have eye contact and exchange of facial emotions.
While the benefits of the internet age seem endless, it is important to note that there are also numerous setbacks that have resulted from the rapid incorporation of cyber technologies into our everyday lives. Doctors, parents, neurologists, and teachers, just to name a few groups, have recently voiced their concerns regarding the damaging effects of our reliance, fascination, and border-line obsession with the cyber world that is now seemingly incorporated into all aspects of life. Now that we understand the importance of both Cyber space and physical space lets study the relation between the two (Robert Zheng, Jason J. Burrow-Sanchez, Clifford J. Drew Adolescent, 2010).
The relation between CS and PS
Due to variations in the means and methods that regions utilize in order to communicate with one another, the world currently hosts a wide array of unique languages, dialects, and complex systems of written symbols. With the development and evolution of specific languages has come the emergence of many cultures and regional ways of life.
Archbishop from England’s Roman Catholic Church comment saying "Among young people often a key factor in them committing suicide is the trauma of transient relationships. They throw themselves into a friendship or network of friendships, then it collapses and they're desolate." This can be because of lack of physical space Lisa Katayama (2009).
As discussed above, advantages of the cyber space cannot be denied but the primary reason for which it must be used is to facilitate the physical space and not to take its place. Cyber Space can eradicate the gaps between physical communication and space by ensuring quick and effective touch however it can never be used in place of physical space. Therefore the relation is simple: cyberspace is a great support to physical space and is useful in taking it to the next level but cannot be the sole mode of communication James W. Carey (2008).
The Importance of the Physical communication
- Personal space:
- West – arms length
- Arab and Latin cultures – much closer together
- Touching
- Latin America – hugs
- Asians – only handshake on initial meeting
- Eye Contact
- Western countries – critical; evaluate sincerity, trust
- Asia, India, Japan – depends on who you’re talking to; disrespectful for jr. level employee to look directly at sr. level employee
- Hand Gestures
- Thumbs up: positive in Western Cultures, inappropriate/obscene in other cultures
- Ask and observe locals for which postures, voice levels, crossing legs, etc are appropriate
Importance and Reasons:
1.) The computer can perform many operations with tremendous speed and accuracy, but the replication of human thought is not one of these operations.
Evidence – Mind Over Machine - Dreyfus
2.) The “neuroplastic” nature of our brains allows for alterations in thought processing when introduced to different stimuli, and the recent reliance on cyber media has resulted in decreased comprehension and shortened attention spans amongst the majority of frequent users
Evidence – Results of Dr. Nicholas Carr’s case study, in
The Shallows
3.) Reliance on cyber technologies have enhanced our ability to process information faster, and have contributed to increases in IQ; however, it has also had a damaging effect on issues regarding interpersonal emotional responses.
Evidence – Lady Greenfield
4.) Humans have been shown to benefit tremendously, concerning education and overall mental health, when their tactile senses are stimulated.
Evidence – Dr. Fritz Talbot’s 1940 study
5.) As technological media become faster, more convenient, and less personal, individuals have become increasingly duplicitous/careless.
Evidence – Paper submission vs. Online submission Case
Survey about how people think of new Technology of Communication
Communication is a process which involves groups or individuals conveying information between one another. The development of effective methods in efficiently transferring thoughts, from one person to the next, is one of the most basic elements that contributes to the creation and growth of interactive societies. Without adequate means of communicating, groups of people would struggle endlessly to productively work together and strengthen as a society at large.
The Role of the Architect
The role of the Architect is to resolve this issue from the society where there is a lack of physical connect which is the main reason for cultural nourishment and the presence of interpersonal connect. There is a need to develop that framework which will create a systematic balance between both Cyber and Physical space so that the gap of lack of physical communication gets fixed.
Conclusion
It is quite evident that there is a direct correlation between the rapid integration of the cyberworld, and the steady decline of real-world interpersonal bonds. Hugs, handshakes, and face-to-face conversations have been replaced by email and instant messaging. While the short-term gains are immensely convenient, the long-term effects are much more unpredictable. Much of the damaging results of our reliance on cyberspace can be contributed to the fact that we have not yet found a method of incorporating the attributes and capabilities of the cyber world into our physical world. The realities of cyberspace, in a sense, have not yet been materialized. For this exact reason, it may be in our best interest to begin building a bridge between the cyber world, created by various communicational media, and the real world in which we live, by allowing internet users to physically experience the capabilities of cyberspace within the confines of our physical surroundings.
References
Chayko., M. (2008). Portable communities : the social dynamics of online and mobile connectedness . Albany: Suny Press .
Gustavo Fischman (2005, 191) Critical theories, radical pedagogies, and global conflicts
James W. Carey (2008) Communication as culture: essays on media and society Lisa Katayama (2009) http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2009/08/03/advisor-is-text-mess.html
Paul C. Adams (2005) The boundless self: communication in physical and virtual spaces
Robert Zheng, Jason J. Burrow-Sanchez, Clifford J. Drew Adolescent (2010) online social communication and behavior: relationship formation on the Internet
