Electronic communication, also known as computer-mediated communication (CMC), is not only amazingly convenient but something you can receive immediate gratification from. Despite the convenience, there are many features that are lost in the transfer of messages. Nonverbal communication is the key component that is filtered through the wires when speaking electronically. The majority of the communication you do when speaking to someone in front of you, is nonverbal. Actually, approximately fifty five percent of the interaction you have with one another is in fact, nonverbal.(Fletcher)

When you speak to someone verbally you might send a whole array of nonverbal actions that helps the opposite party to decode your message appropriately. Non-verbal communication is d

efined as ¡§behaviors, attributes, or objects (except words) that communicate messages that have social meaning.¡¨ (Seiler, G-6) These include your tone, such as raising your voice if you are excited, or speaking softly if you are upset or disappointed. Nonverbal references extend to the way you move your eyes, hold your posture, move your hands, and so on. It is easier to determine the emotions and interpretation of your communicator by watching the expressions that are delivered. You now most likely realize why Internet communication may pose a slight problem.

Communicating online is still in its beta stages in terms of functionality. As time continues and technology increases in bigger leaps then we are seeing now, more elaborate methods of talking will be developed. Video conferencing is sparsely used in the consumer market today and in a small sector of the business and corporate level communication. Gradually this technology will become more perfected and will be more appealing to the next generation of people who want to change the way communication is done in revolutionary strides, such as the way our generation did with Electronic Communication.

This sort of false front represents both positive and negative effects for yourself and the partners you talk to. On the positive note, it can allow you to overcome fears of people, situations, and talking in general. Back before my internet days, around the time of junior high, I was the world¡¦s shyest kid. I would generally go to school and continue to be unsociable with my peers throughout the day until it was time for me to go home. The Internet for the most part allowed me to overcome this fear. Gradually, I started to talk to some friends on the computer and found it was easier for me. I could hide my shy personality and bring out someone that might be more enjoyable to talk to. I learned that I could collect my thoughts without stuttering and becoming nervous when I spoke aloud. The more I spoke online, the more I felt comfortable speaking with people in the classroom or elsewhere. This therapy brought me to love people as much as I do today.

By now, we all have our own ideas about the Internet and if it is a good method of communication. There are some who focus primaril

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