The Impact of Communication Technology CMT 11 Fundamentals

Categories of Impact Six categories that relate to communication technology: Six categories that relate to communication technology: –Political –Social –Economic –Environmental –Cultural –Ethical

Political Impact Mass Media Mass Media Politicians have “media advisors” to make them look and sound good in the media. Politicians have “media advisors” to make them look and sound good in the media. The media can influence the political process. The media can influence the political process. Popularity of candidates go up and down depending on their media image. Popularity of candidates go up and down depending on their media image.

Political Impact… Satellite Communication Allow governments around the world to communicate with each other. Allow governments around the world to communicate with each other. Countries can use satellites to spy on other countries. Countries can use satellites to spy on other countries. Mapping satellites photograph areas being watched for defense purposes. Mapping satellites photograph areas being watched for defense purposes.

Social Impact How people interact together is influenced by communication technology How people interact together is influenced by communication technology

Social Impact – Government Tracking Government computers keep track of us by our social insurance number and is used in connection with drivers licenses, bank accounts, income taxes, credit checks, and more. Government computers keep track of us by our social insurance number and is used in connection with drivers licenses, bank accounts, income taxes, credit checks, and more.

Social Impact – Education and Training Computers entered classrooms in the 1980’s. Computers entered classrooms in the 1980’s. Internet and interactive video help teachers to provide other ways of learning. Internet and interactive video help teachers to provide other ways of learning.

Social Impact – Information Storage and Retrieval Now more then ever we are storing information in databases (digital storage) and websites. Now more then ever we are storing information in databases (digital storage) and websites. Instantly locate the information easily. Instantly locate the information easily. Don’t even have to leave home! Don’t even have to leave home! We can shop online, spend money without leaving the home. We can shop online, spend money without leaving the home. Cons - information overload, high amounts of debt among consumers. Cons - information overload, high amounts of debt among consumers.

Social Impact How does communication technology impact how we SOCIALIZE? How does communication technology impact how we SOCIALIZE? Brainstorm with your neighbor Brainstorm with your neighbor

Economic Impact Businesses rely heavily technology for success Businesses rely heavily technology for success –Advertising of services and products –Communication with other businesses, clients, etc. –Manufacturing of goods and services. With global communication comes a global economy. With global communication comes a global economy. –Things that happen this morning in Tokyo can affect business in New York City, thousands of miles away, a few hours later.

Environmental Impact Communication tends to be “clean” technology. Communication tends to be “clean” technology. –Compared to “smokestack” industries like steel production, communication industries are easier on our environment.

Environmental Impact - Downside Computers and photocopiers generate more paper copies than ever before. Computers and photocopiers generate more paper copies than ever before. We harvest tress and use energy to produce paper = environmental impact! We harvest tress and use energy to produce paper = environmental impact!

Cultural Impact Many people believe TV has made us a less literate society Many people believe TV has made us a less literate society School test scores have declined. School test scores have declined. Could that be because we read less and watch television more? Could that be because we read less and watch television more? What about slang? LOL, WTF, OMG? What about slang? LOL, WTF, OMG?

Cultural Impact - Violence What about our attitude toward violence? What about our attitude toward violence? Have they changed because of television? Have they changed because of television? When we constantly see violent movies and violent stories on the evening news, does it desensitize us toward violence? When we constantly see violent movies and violent stories on the evening news, does it desensitize us toward violence?

Ethical Issues Ethical concerns have to do with matters of right and wrong. Ethical concerns have to do with matters of right and wrong. –Things that are unethical may not necessarily be against the law, however, most people agree that they are wrong. With new developments in communication come ethical problems. With new developments in communication come ethical problems.

Digital Editing Digital files can be changed very easily through digital editing. Digital files can be changed very easily through digital editing. –Example - digital editing of models. It can and is also be used for questionable purposes. It can and is also be used for questionable purposes.

Digital Editing - Continued Digital sound editing enables an audio technician to alter the voices and sounds. Digital sound editing enables an audio technician to alter the voices and sounds. They can make anyone sound good singing. Is this right? They can make anyone sound good singing. Is this right?

Computer Viruses In the late 1980’s, computer viruses became a major data security issue In the late 1980’s, computer viruses became a major data security issue Now spyware is a major security issue Now spyware is a major security issue Viruses and Spyware Viruses and Spyware Cause your computers to run slow Cause your computers to run slow Monitor your actions on the computer Monitor your actions on the computer Track what sites you visited Track what sites you visited Copy and destroy files Copy and destroy files