Communication as a Medium

In this chapter, the discussion starts over the strengths and weaknesses of the Internet. Also, discussed was the medium in which the Internet is categorized. The author states that the Internet does not fall into any particular medium, it spans all of them. (Adams & Clark, 3) This is something that I agree with 100 percent, it is changing in so many interactive ways every day that it is impossible to group it into one medium. In the last five years of my life, the way in which I have used the Internet has went from that good ole dial up sound, to talking to friends through a camera or instant messaging. Being in my twenties and growing up in the technology age has been enlightening. To think back to what it must of been like to research information, get news, just communicate blows my mind. The difficulty they must have encountered makes me realize how lucky we are to have these tools at our fingertips. The reading went on to talk about the reliability of the Internet, and how accessible it is. The percentage of homes with Internet accessibility is growing, and I can see the day with it will catch up to the telephone. I believe that steps need to be taken to have more public places where people who do not have the privilege of the Internet could go and access the web. Also discussed was the speed in which the Internet travels. It has evolved tremendously since the early days, and now many people even have access on their telephones. The medium qualities where mentioned as well, focusing on six different elements. These six were multimediated, hypertexual, interactive, asynchronous, packet based, and digital. (Adams & Clark, 27) The one that I feel is most important is that the Internet has become hypertextual. This means that we can hyperlink, and have a web page that we can connect to all types of related information. To me hypertextualtily is so crucial for the Internet as we see it today, there are very few websites out there that do not take advantage of its benefits. In all honesty, I cannot picture a world without the Internet. It has not only connected, but it has enriched the way in which we communicate. Many disagree, and say we are losing out on interpersonal communication, but I feel we are just forming a new kind. Everything evolves, and the Internet is evolving the way in which we communicate.