How Technology Affects Communication

Dan Lacy is credited with the idea that "societies that communicated information the farthest and the fastest gained power and dominated each era." (Communicating in Professional Contexts, Goodall 2006, p. 156) This is very true I believe. Working in a technology driven, information oriented career field I think I can attest to that. There is the old saying that the pen is mightier than the sword. I think that this holds true even today. In certain battles whomever has the best weaponry or resources may win the battle, but being able to carry information quickly regarding the battlefield to others has always been the key to winning the whole war. In times of old whomever had the fastest horses could seek reinforcements or supplies that could win the battle. Whoever bled the least didn't necessarily win, it was who ever could draw the battle out the longest and being able to have quick lines of communication was key to that. In today's age it just isn't part of the battle, it is the battle. Information warfare is very real. Through the employment of technology communications between persons can be intercepted and put to use to either remove an ally from danger or to attack the enemy with more confidence in their location, numbers, plans, armaments, etc.

As we see, communication is essential to wars, but it is also important to businesses as well as our personal lives. Being able to Skype with my parents from Nebraska to California gives them a chance to see and talk to my kids live, enhancing their relationship with people thousands of miles away. Businesses are able to hold meetings with people in six different countries in real time. This enables them to move quickly and save money, which saves time, which can save the consumer in the end. Another way technology and communication come together to great benefit is in an emergency. Have you heard the OnStar commercials? Click on the following link to check one out. Technology can communicate someone is in distress without the person needing to initiate the process or even be conscious. There are so many ways that technology can facilitate communication and make life better for us all.

Watch for my next post about how technology can be bad.