virtual messaging:
Waiting is a concept of the past and “instant” is the mantra of the season. The new age of digitization has pervaded each and every sphere of our lives and communication has been completely rid of spatial barriers. With the advent of SMSing, social networks, online messengers and so on and so forth, virtual messaging has rapidly developed into not merely a trend or a convenience, but instead, an absolutely indispensable need in the dynamism of today’s world. Virtual messaging has not only compensated for the times when real-life communication is not possible, but also substituted the need for the same to a great extent.
According to a survey conducted by TNS IANS, approximately 83 percent of Indians have taken to intensive usage of mobile phones and 67 percent of them are acquainted with the internet. In a country where a large proportion of people are still below the poverty line, such figures are astonishing! It reaffirms the fact that virtual messaging has proliferated into each and every realm of the Indian society.
What is it about virtual messaging that has enamoured it to people and helped it secure such unprecendented popularity?
For the first, the “virtuality” of virtual messaging facilitates communication even when the people involved are not at the same place. This has given rise to virtual organizations, dynamic workplaces, and connectivity on the go! It has truly revolutionized the way individuals and organizations function. Furthermore, it has mitigated the frequency at which face to face communications need to occur. Real- life interactions require co-ordinational efforts, money, time commitment and much more emotional investment – and such hurdles are easily and conveniently smoothened out by virtual messaging. Last but not the least, the cost effectiveness offered by virtual messaging platforms like SMSes, Whatsapp, Facebook, Gtalk, Yahoo Messenger, and other chat forums, adds on to the charm of instant messaging.
However, remove the rose tinted glasses and virtual messaging isn’t quite so impeccable, after all. Although it does tackle physical barriers of communication on one side, on the other and unfortunate one, it creates a number of others. Virtual messaging is deprived of the benefits of body language and hence, miscommunications often occur because this subtle aspect is left out. Furthermore, it creates an illusory comfort zone where everyone clicks with everyone else. Such unhesitant interactions are not possible in reality. Since it does not require actual presence of the people involved, it automatically eliminates any reservations, but such easy going communications are always shattered when the need to meet in reality arises! Also, virtual messaging can often be tediously addictive. The recent trend of “de-teching” , which involves people detaching themselves from virtual messaging for a period of time – reflects the same. Sometimes, it may even be impossible to talk over an issue,” virtually”, and that is also one of the most inherent drawbacks of virtual messaging.
Despite all of its shortcomings, there is no denying that virtual messaging has spun its way around the fabric of the everyday life of all and sundry!
Waiting is a concept of the past and “instant” is the mantra of the season. The new age of digitization has pervaded each and every sphere of our lives and communication has been completely rid of spatial barriers. With the advent of SMSing, social networks, online messengers and so on and so forth, virtual messaging has rapidly developed into not merely a trend or a convenience, but instead, an absolutely indispensable need in the dynamism of today’s world. Virtual messaging has not only compensated for the times when real-life communication is not possible, but also substituted the need for the same to a great extent.
According to a survey conducted by TNS IANS, approximately 83 percent of Indians have taken to intensive usage of mobile phones and 67 percent of them are acquainted with the internet. In a country where a large proportion of people are still below the poverty line, such figures are astonishing! It reaffirms the fact that virtual messaging has proliferated into each and every realm of the Indian society.
What is it about virtual messaging that has enamoured it to people and helped it secure such unprecendented popularity?
For the first, the “virtuality” of virtual messaging facilitates communication even when the people involved are not at the same place. This has given rise to virtual organizations, dynamic workplaces, and connectivity on the go! It has truly revolutionized the way individuals and organizations function. Furthermore, it has mitigated the frequency at which face to face communications need to occur. Real- life interactions require co-ordinational efforts, money, time commitment and much more emotional investment – and such hurdles are easily and conveniently smoothened out by virtual messaging. Last but not the least, the cost effectiveness offered by virtual messaging platforms like SMSes, Whatsapp, Facebook, Gtalk, Yahoo Messenger, and other chat forums, adds on to the charm of instant messaging.
However, remove the rose tinted glasses and virtual messaging isn’t quite so impeccable, after all. Although it does tackle physical barriers of communication on one side, on the other and unfortunate one, it creates a number of others. Virtual messaging is deprived of the benefits of body language and hence, miscommunications often occur because this subtle aspect is left out. Furthermore, it creates an illusory comfort zone where everyone clicks with everyone else. Such unhesitant interactions are not possible in reality. Since it does not require actual presence of the people involved, it automatically eliminates any reservations, but such easy going communications are always shattered when the need to meet in reality arises! Also, virtual messaging can often be tediously addictive. The recent trend of “de-teching” , which involves people detaching themselves from virtual messaging for a period of time – reflects the same. Sometimes, it may even be impossible to talk over an issue,” virtually”, and that is also one of the most inherent drawbacks of virtual messaging.
Despite all of its shortcomings, there is no denying that virtual messaging has spun its way around the fabric of the everyday life of all and sundry!
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