A new piece of software that has recently impacted my online communication is skype. While I have used skype for years for use in business and socializing, it was only recently that I convinced my parents to actually install it. Since then, I have observed how they have gone from completely ignorant of how skype works to gradually adopt the behaviors of CMC and become comfortable communicating online.
My parents, although highly educated and smart, are resistant to learning to use new technologies. My dad's historical excuse has been "oh ill get it, I just want to wait until it drops in price". He has used this line for every new technology that has come out that I can remember. To solve this problem, I simply started buying my parents new gadgets as soon as they are available, thus placing them in the somewhat uncomfortable (for them) position of being in possession of a brand new technology. To date, the strategy hasn’t been all that successful. Most of the time the gadgets I purchase for them remain either unused or unopened. The ipod I bought my parents still has zero songs on it. As I live across the globe from my parents, it’s difficult for me to ease the transition for them by showing them how to use the new gadgets (although every time I do see them I catch them up as best I can).
After purchasing my parents a new laptop complete with web cam, they could no longer ignore my urgings and finally agreed to setup a skype date. The experience for them was revolutionary. They had never experienced video chat, and the ability to see who they were talking to was novel to them. I remember my mom said something like "I feel like I am in your home". This sentiment is exactly what Woods and Smith reference when they speak of the internet promoting interconnectedness, and how we construct our realities through technology.
At first, they were very clumsy in how they skyped. A typical user would schedule a meeting in advance, or failing that, send a quick chat message to ask if it was convenient to skype. My parents on the other hand, treated skype like a telephone. They just pressed "call". I remember being in the other room eating dinner and hearing the skype call come in. I had to explain to them that it was normal to send a chat message, and that skype was a program that was not always online. They seemed frustrated they could not skype when my computer was off (as if the telephone lines were down).
Eventually, they got the hang of the etiquette and use, and now I even witness my dad using the hotkeys for skype to maximize the screen (he was very proud of this). They now prefer to skype instead of a traditional phone call, and even if we find ourselves speaking on the phone, he will inevitably ask if we can skype instead. My parents now use skype beyond communicating with me, and now do it with many family members and friends.
The case of my parents mirrors the general trend occurring in society. Every year more people go online and become connected. The digital divide that currently exists and is covered in W&S ch. 8 will slowly recede as the cost to bring developing countries these technologies continues to drop. This week's chapter of Woods and Smith discusses how technologies become familiar, and borrowing from Plotnikoff "unremarkable". While I feel the novelty of this particular technology still remains, it certainly seems today that my parents could not imagine not using skype to communicate.
I like how you posted about your parents and Skype. My brothers ended up going all over the world during their college years and afterward. My parents, especially my father, were really slow with technology. He used to make the same comment that you mentioned about how they are waiting for it to go down in price. Finally, my parents understood the webcam, but like you said, when the computer is off they will shoot me an immediate email saying that "there is something wrong with the darn internet, this is why we do not use such useless technology, and blah blah blah the way parents ramble on. By now, after three kids being away out of the house and technology becoming evermore easy to use, they are getting much better at it. It is crazy to think how difficult it is for the previous generations because our generation grew up with classes teaching us in elementary schools about computers and the basics of internet. I cannot imagine a life where technology was foreign and often times scary for me. It must be difficult for parents, but like you mentioned in Wood and Smith how it gives you a feeling of home, it gives our parents the feeling of actually being in the same room as us which I am sure is comforting.
ReplyDeleteI also like how you posted about your parents and skype. Your story really shows how technology has changed the way we communicate. At first skype seems crazy for some people that didn't grow up with it, but like you said, your parents could not imagine not using skype to communicate. I use it all the time and I don't know what I would do without it. It is so convenient and it is really nice to be able to actually see the person.
ReplyDeleteI recently downloaded skype as well to communicate with a friend who is studying abroad. At first it was confusing for me to use, and I had the same reaction as your parents did. I could definitely feel the interconnectedness which was great when talking with my friend. It is funny how certain technologies such as video chat have their own ground rules and ways of using them, this is probably because with video chat people can see each other so it is like showing up unannounced into someone’s home. I think skype is a great tool for society because it is always nice to see friends and family when they are living far away.
ReplyDeleteI found it very interesting that your parents were so against technology and then fell in love with it once they realized how beneficial it can be. I think in this particular example technology can be a great way to communicate. You are able to see the person and here the tone in which they are using. I think skype really helps a lot of families and friends stay connected and I hope to introduce it to mine as well. I also liked how you would try and help your family stay current on technology. A lot of people just expect others to catch on and learn instantly. With other, more older generations it takes time and patience and it looks like you did just that =)
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