Communication today

                A large class concept grasped was when we talked about Orality, Literacy, Visually, and Networking in terms of communication. Our world has well advanced in the last few hundred years, and these four ways of communication are a great example as to how.

                Communication began with Orality. Orality can be more defined as the quality of being spoken to. Prior to text print, such as newspapers, news was orally communicated to one another. This associates orality with a multi–author aspect, but can also be associated with the singular form. In other words, more than one person would go around spreading news, or just one person can be associated. Although this form is much outdated due to mass media, it is still demonstrated daily. Oral communication is still performed to this day in forms of speeches. The President of the United States is a great example of this. While he embodies mainly the multi-author aspect of Orality, he can also compose a speech on the spot. A famous example of this is when President George W. Bush gave his famous speech at the World Trade Center, just days after the September 11^th terrorist attacks in 2001. You can watch him compose the short speech on the spot here. President Bush utilized the singular aspect here, forming a short speech to help unify those involved in search efforts. This speech later became one of the most memorable moment in modern American history.

                Literacy is another effective form of communication. The most traditional definition means the ability to read and write. Literacy can be paired up with another common, Visuality. Visuality refers to the quality of being visible, while also demonstrating learning types. I paired both of these up, because they both have the singular author aspect in common. Back in the day, Literacy was required for effective communication. By being able to read and skillfully write, journalists were then able to push their ideas out more efficiently, producing visual text such as newspapers. Literacy was required on both ends though, because if the receiver picked up a newspaper and could not analyze a piece of writing, he or she would not be able to comprehend it. This is a great example of what Visuality truly means. For a better understanding, check out the image below.

These two commons have changed a little bit as the years passed, such as that they are no longer fully single–author. One could potentially argue that in this day, Literacy & Visuality could be both. For example a newspaper is not published solely by one person. It takes journalists, editors, printing machines and so on. Either way you categorize them, you end up with the same output; effective communication.

                Arguably the largest form of communication to this day is networking. Networking involves the use of the internet, and all different types of social mediums working together to push a topic across. Networking could be referred to as the new form of newspapers, except all digital. This networked form has had a dramatic impact on today’s generation, because we have everything at our fingertips. A great example of a popular networked communication form is Facebook. Facebook has become the major source for everything from news, to what my friends are up to, or something as simple as messenger. Although this new, digital form of communication is a large benefit to us, it also has its negatives. The largest down side is laziness. In my three previous commons, it is able to be concluded that communication takes effort. With this electronic format, the Orality is eliminated completely and vital skills are lost. Back in the day, you would call your friends up and form plans. In this day of age, all you have to do is create a post on Facebook and you’re set. You can access more about the negative impact of networked communication here.

                Overall, this day in age relies on all four of these commons. Whether it is Orality, Literacy, Visuality or networking, they all contribute to the same goal and in the end get you to where you want to go. It is all based on personal preference which route you take, although I am sure the younger generations would choose networking while the older would choose Orality.