ICT (information and communications technology - or technologies)
is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application,
encompassing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware
and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and
applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance
learning. ICTs are often spoken of in a particular context, such as ICTs in
education, health care, or libraries. The term is somewhat more common outside
of the United States.
According to the European Commission, the importance of ICTs lies
less in the technology itself than in its ability to create greater access to
information and communication in underserved populations. Many countries around
the world have established organizations for the promotion of ICTs, because it
is feared that unless less technologically advanced areas have a chance to
catch up, the increasing technological advances in developed nations will only
serve to exacerbate the already-existing economic gap between technological
"have" and "have not" areas. Internationally, the United
Nations actively promotes ICTs for Development (ICT4D) as a means of bridging
the digital divide.
In today's era of modern technology and convenience, communicating
via text, e-mail, social networking sites and phone calls have provided
convenience and instantaneous communications with those in our world. However,
they have their pros and cons within our more intimate and
close-knit relationships. So let us look at what some of those are and
their affects on them.
Pros - how it
can enhance our communication and intimacy
o It
is simply faster in some regards.
o We
can think about what we want to say before we say it.
o We
can edit/revise it before sending the message, thereby ensuring we come across
the way we intend.
o We
can send it and the receiver doesn't have to respond right away & vice
versa. In this fast-paced world, we can send just enough info that
time/schedules allot for between activities, then pick back up when we can get
to it. Then again, a problem in our relationships is that we get over
involved with some things in life and it can have
adverse affects on our relationships.
o We
can communicate covertly/privately, especially when the environment isn't
conducive to phone calls.
o We
can forward messages and view other peoples' words verbatim.
o Communicating/writing
can develop our verbal, in-person communications with people later on.
o We
can more easily say what we mean (communicate more accurately), mean what we
say (be genuine), but not necessarily say everything we think (filter out the
negative/superfluous when necessary).
- It bridges the gap of long, geographic
distances.
Cons - how it
hinders our communication and intimacy
- It can be impersonal.
- They are just words on a screen and we
can't always discern peoples' tone and demeanor. This isn't always
consistent across different conversations with the samepeople.
It's not always safe to assume that a person's past tone
in a prior conversation is the same upon reading someone's current message.
- When it comes to more meaningful,
intimate things that need to be communicated effectively, like serious
apologies for more serious transgressions, or deeper messages like
expressing one's love with their partner/spouse, the receiver
cannot fully grasp the gravity of it.
- We can't pick up on facial expressions
(emoticons might help, but those can be rather cryptic), eye contact,
tone, pitch, speed, and body language, etc. (skyping and video messaging
excluded, but nothing beats real-time, in person conversing). It's been
said that somewhere around 90% of communication is non-verbal, but that's
before electronic communication came about. That adage was for when 2 or
more people are in each other's presence.
- We take a lot of humanity out of
communicating electronically, yet it has promoted faster connections with
groups of people and between individuals. As if we don't have enough
problems with communicating these days!
- It's more difficult to convey
compassion.
In sum, communications between people, especially our more
intimate relationships, more emphasis should be placed on face-to-face, in
person communicating. But electronic communications can enhance our
relationships if it's not abused. Effectively communicating
with one another is crucial in having great relationships. It fosters a
connection with other people - we weren't given the ability to read each
other's minds.
