Transcript CMC
Flemming Schneider Rhode, 21st March 2010
“A process of human communication
via computers, involving people, situated in
particular contexts, engaging in processes to
shape media for a variety of purposes”
(December, 1997)
Asynchronous Communication
People Communicating do not have the same
time availability
Examples: Email, Blackboard
Synchronous Communication
Interaction happening in real time
Examples: IMing, NetMeeting, Skype
Canary et al. on Online Self Presentation (p. 175)
Poorer Channels create ambiguity
Threats to self presentation are often mediated
Hyperpersonality
CMC content is characterized by core rather
than peripheral topics
CMC is assumed deliberate and purposeful
We get to know each other faster, but also more
narrowly online
60 Minutes Report
Career implications (Canary et al., 2006, p.
154-5)
The typical user spends about 20 minutes a
day on the site, and two-thirds of users log in
at least once a day (Cassidy, 2006; Needham
& Company, 2007).
Metaperceptions often inaccurate (Canary et
al. ,2006, p. 139)
Individuals are recognized by (Stewart, 2009, p.
120):
1) Personal Markers (e.g. writing style, avatars)
2) Online social conduct
3) Contribution to the cooperative narrative
Issues of reliability and trust
Issues of anonymity
Informative Aspects (credibility and expertise of the
author)
Group Pressure Aspects (Unpopular opinions vs. blind
attacks)
Freedom of Speech
What Is an Author (Foucault)
Authorship is an idea, a not a given
Texts and discourses transition from an act to a
product
Author “function”
Implications for how we see CMC such as Wikipedia,
blogs, and Open Source coding