I find that the internet today has rather ruined human communication. For example, chatting online. Words are thrown around so carelessly that they no longer take on any meaning. They have become stripped of their purpose, pointless letters formed together to ease boredom and nothing more.
Do words mean anything online? Why is it that some of us find it easier to tell a person something over the internet? What is the purpose of words?
We are the ones who give words their meaning: we decide the message we want to get across. Yet the internet again bashes this purpose, since everything has been distorted and warped. Chat speak, 1337 speak, call it what you will, but what is the purpose of words if they no longer get the point across? Aren't they simply losing their purpose?
| deprimido wrote: |
I find that the internet today has rather ruined human communication. For example, chatting online. Words are thrown around so carelessly that they no longer take on any meaning. They have become stripped of their purpose, pointless letters formed together to ease boredom and nothing more.
Do words mean anything online? Why is it that some of us find it easier to tell a person something over the internet? What is the purpose of words?
We are the ones who give words their meaning: we decide the message we want to get across. Yet the internet again bashes this purpose, since everything has been distorted and warped. Chat speak, 1337 speak, call it what you will, but what is the purpose of words if they no longer get the point across? Aren't they simply losing their purpose? |
Hmmm... It's an interesting argument you have here...
It seems that communication via chat can usually be taken as a joke, but this is relative claim. Not everyone behaves this way and those who do can't think of nothing more productive to do. Hence, I refer to online multi-chatting.
Yet, when it comes to communication, I would say internet has and will continue to be the fastest medium of communication in existence. If you checkout Google news you can see stories that were published just minutes ago. How much better can it get?
Do words mean anything online? - It depends who you say them to, if your words are directed to a 13 yrd old playing CS, most likely they don't mean much. If you write an email to your father over seas, or a soldier in war, I am sure it will mean enough.
Why is it that some of us find it easier to tell a person something over the internet? – This way one is likely to avoid the fear factor of facing this person face to face depending on the message, one can also fake a feeling or intension a lot better than in person, there is no need to go to directly see a person when you can simply go online and communicate. These are only 3 reasons, I am sure we could find many other...
What is the purpose of words? - I am sure you know this one... for we call it communication.
Pardon me my friend, for I have been somewhat sarcastic with your post. I get the impression that you are a little frustrated by the digital panorama of communication, but please, know that the what you would call "good" sentences are written when real thoughts are produced in the process. Thus, make use of this - your brain.
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Something else... don't be deprimido... be contento! 
Language is an interesting topic. The movie Waking Life (have you seen it?)-- it is not only beautiful, but covers this topic in one section. Language is excellent for communicating things like, "Put your shirt on." But where we start to tread into strange territory is when we say things like, "Do you love me?", or, "What is cognition?"
Words are really only symbols most of the time, which we try to use to help us try and communicate, despite a lot of the time what we are saying is incommunicatable.
Words used in different contexts have different amounts of meaning. For example if you were playing a game and someone said
"OMG I PWN YOU N00B, lke I own3d your mom!1!!11"
you wouldn't think that he/she was serious in their meaning. But the same idea in a different context could have some interesting impliciations.
But in the end, communication is all that matters. It doesn't really matter what words are used, rather if they get the point across. Another example
"My dearest Mary, I cannot express how much I love you at this point"
"Yo Mary, I <3 u!"
if they get the same meaning across, then they're equally valid.
Hm. Well, obviously in emergencies words mean something, but what I'm talking about is everyday communication.
Does it not hinder our daily communication? When friends prefer to say things online than to work the courage to say them face-to-face, how is that a pro? When the usage of words turns to the usage of "chatspeak" and slang with poor grammar, how is that at all helping us? By my post what I mean is that the internet is hindering our actual interaction between our peers...
Words have alot of power! In the Bible it is said that Thou have been tought that thou shalt not kill, but I say to thee, who ever tells to his brother "Thou art a fool" has already commited murder in his heart!
Words have the power to build up and to break a person, to kill or to give life, to wound or to encourage! It's all about words! God commanded " Let there be light and there was light! and so on!
Words have immense power so you have to learn to control your tongue!
Optimum et pessimum in homine est lingua!
The best and the worst in a humanbeing is the language!
I don't think words have ever been truly "meaningful".
We've always been keen to pour out explanations for who we are and what we believe and why... but none of it means anything unless we live it. The way we live our lives is the only true testament of our convictions, beliefs and values. The rest is just for show.
ANd I guess that's moe evident in the online realm. People can say whatever they want because they're anonymous - there's no-one to look at the evidence and see if the actions and the lifestyle are in line with the words being spoken.
This is the test that distinguishes truth from lies.
Whong's sheer evangelical enthusiasm has melted my screen.
I don't think the problem is quite as severe as the threadstarter makes out - but it does happen, I can't deny that. The word 'love' has been stripped of quite a lot of power - it's now very dependent on context, and you've got to give it quite a lot of emphasis to get the true meaning across.
"Haha, I love that!"
"I love that film"
"I love you..."
"Luv ya!"
"<3 u!"
Spot the odd one out.
There are a lot of interesting points in this thread and I've enjoyed reading each reply.
Words actually do have a lot of power, but it's all in how they are used. Words spoken in the heat of anger can hurt and destroy. Words spoken in love and understanding can heal. Lies can mislead, causing hurt to yourself and/or others. Did you know that words can kill? Using words you can kill a persons hope and/or dreams. But if you turn that around, you can use words to uplift someone that is feeling sad, you can help someone follow their dreams or give someone hope.
| livilou wrote: |
There are a lot of interesting points in this thread and I've enjoyed reading each reply.
Words actually do have a lot of power, but it's all in how they are used. Words spoken in the heat of anger can hurt and destroy. Words spoken in love and understanding can heal. Lies can mislead, causing hurt to yourself and/or others. Did you know that words can kill? Using words you can kill a persons hope and/or dreams. But if you turn that around, you can use words to uplift someone that is feeling sad, you can help someone follow their dreams or give someone hope. |
That's exactly what I mean, if you go and tell your friend "I don't want to be friends with you no more!" it will really hurt him and also you after a while!
Then again if you help a person out by telling him something nice he will be uplifted and encouraged! You both will feel happy, well atleast he to whom you told that! words have true meaning and power, just try them they can break or build etc. 
