Speed of Communication

Source: http://www.theemailguide.com/images/
infographics/pingdom-email_vs_snailmail.png

We’ve discussed how technology enables information to be more interactive through social sharing and comments, and how technology has also changed the way in which communicators obtain their information.  There is still another way that technology has changed the work of communicators.  Technology allows communicators to transmit information quickly and reliably.  No longer are letters needed to send information across the country.  “Email let[s] us send documents to any part of the globe within seconds, making telegrams and even ordinary letters mostly obsolete.  The Internet has thus increased the speed of communications manifold, and reduced the costs drastically” (Nayab, 2014, para. 7).  If someone is writing a newspaper article, they can email a source for more information or contact that person through social media.  People are connected today in many ways, making communication easy and quick.  Reliability has also increased, as electronic communications do not get intercepted as regular mail might.  This role of technology does not require much additional training on the part of communicators as these tasks are already familiar for communicators in their personal life. 

The Internet also allows communicators to conduct research with ease and from anywhere.  “When laptops first replaced desktops as the new, go-to digital device, being glued to your cubicle or home office while  checking email suddenly became a thing of the past” (Lund, 2014, para. 1).  No longer do communicators need to go to libraries.  Research can be conducted through the vast amount of information available on the Internet.  In 2014, it was predicted that, “accessing the Web via mobile devices will be more prevalent than desktop Internet use” (Lund, 2014, para. 3).  New technology also allows communicators to conduct their work from anywhere.  No longer is it necessary to sit in the office to accomplish a task.  Communicators could be using a mobile device while sitting on the beach in the Caribbean.  Technology enables communicators to accomplish their work more quickly, allowing the end product to reach its audience in a more timely manner.

Source: https://www.internetacademy.jp/blog/en/2014/08/
responsive-web-design-and-its-importance-in-the-global-market.html

Next up: How has technology changed society’s expectations of mass media and culture?

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References: 

Lund, K.  (2014, August 1).  Mobile communications are here to stay.  GovDelivery.  Retrieved from https://www.govdelivery.com/blog/mobile/mobile-communications-are-here-to-stay/.

Nayab, N.  (2014, October 24).  How communication has evolved with new technologies.  Bright Hub Inc.  Retrieved from http://www.brighthubpm.com/methods-strategies/79052-exploring-how-technology-has-changed-communication/.