COHI Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

COHI - Term Paper Example The objective of this essay is to illustrate how mediated communication impacts one’s life for the better, for the worse, or perhaps both ways. The discourse would initially define relevant terms to be used within the paper like communication, mediated and unmediated communication, prior to delving into determining the force of media on interaction and social life. The experiences of one’s daily life as poignant examples of the far reaching influence of mediated communication would be used through the essay, as required. Definition of Terms Martires defines communication as a process which aims to transfer and implement the meaning of symbols from one person, group or organization to another (79). The ultimate goal of communication is the sharing of meaning. Andersen considers it as â€Å"a dynamic process in which man consciously or unconsciously affects the cognition of another through materials or agencies used in symbolic ways† (5). Likewise, Delaune and Ladn er defined the term as the â€Å"process of transmitting thoughts, feelings, facts, and other information† (483) through verbal or non-verbal means. All definitions attest that communication is a process where symbols and meanings are relayed from the sender to recipients with the use of a defined medium. Mediated communication is clearly defined as â€Å"communication that involves a process by which a message, or communication, is transmitted via some form or medium† (Pavlik and McIntosh, 70). The authors expounded by detailing that â€Å"anything that you directly encounter during your waking hours such as talking to your friends, listening to a lecture, smelling food from the cafeteria, feeling rain on your skin is unmediated communication, although the information value of these experiences varies.   Mediated communication also creates a greater chance for misinterpretation by the receiver.   Mediated communication is all around us.  Web logs, or blogs, off er a unique channel for developing and maintaining relationships between organizations and publics† (ibid.). Likewise, Fernando differentiated mediated from unmediated communication by stressing that â€Å"mediated communication transpires when the parties to the communication are not present in space in relation to each other in a manner that enables them to apprehend each other through the use of their senses. Examples of mediated communication include letters, telephone calls and emails† (Fernando, pars. 19 – 20). Thereby, unmediated communication was defined as â€Å"unmediated communication transpires when the parties to the communication are present in space in relation to each other in a manner that enables them to apprehend each other through the use of all of their senses. Examples of unmediated communication include face-to-face conversations, meetings in a room† (Fernando, 16 – 17), among others. Mediated Communication in Personal Life In contemporary times, the impact of technology, specifically through the use of the Internet and mobile phones has significantly changed levels and extent of communication to various parties. The Internet is personally regarded as a medium for social activity and as a means for self-expression. The young generation, particularly utilize the Internet to interact with others for various reasons: to get information, to communicate with friends, to search for old acquaintances, to form new alliances, to establish social relations, to build bridges instead of walls. Further, the Internet