According to writer Cheryl Frost, "virtual communication technology refers to any technology people use to communicate with each other when they can't be face to face" (Frost, n.d.). Some might consider the era of virtual communication to begin with the development of the webcam in the 1990's, but others may allow for alternative uses of the term to include other types of communication without face-to-face interaction.
History and Definition
In a general sense, communication involves any technique used to transfer thoughts, concepts, or information. Many plants and animals use various means (including sounds, colors, smells, and other chemical methods) and to exchange or display information about their environment. Humans have been using verbal language and body posture to communicate for many centuries.
Virtual communication, then, is distinguished by one or both parties being physically absent, or out of reach of normal verbal communication; shouting at one other from across a field does not constitute virtual communication. Yet definitions differ as to what does constitute virtual communication. Umea University defined it as, "the information, communication, and action, mediated by new information technologies, where contents, intentions, or actors may be nonexistent, distorted, replaced, or created - intentionally or unintentionally.” This definition includes communication between real persons through technological means, but also includes simulated communications between human users and non-human created entities.
Early remote communication methods included both written symbols and coded loud noises such as trumpets or drums. Written letters allowed people to communicate across long distances, albeit with significant delays between query and response. Meanwhile, aquatic sailing vessels devised flag codes to communicate identification and status information without resorting to easily garbled verbal exchanges. These methods might be considered early forms of virtual communication. Later years saw the arrival of telegraphed text messages, and still later, audio messages via radio. In modern times, real-time video allows an unprecedented level of detailed communication across vast distances, including from opposite sides of the planet.
Cutty Sark 26-06-2012 (7471575822).jpg
An online conferencing website defines virtual communication as "a mode of communication that includes the use of technology - audio and video to communicate with people who are not physically present in front of us." (ezTalks, What is Virtual Communication, n.d.). By that definition, the virtual communication may have begun with the telephone (patented in 1876), one of the earliest known methods of transmitting audio in real time (Foner & Garrety, 1991). Since then, virtual communication has grown to include live video feed as well. Handheld mobile devices capable of transmitting and receiving text, audio and video are now commonplace. Internet-based services allow users to connect in real time.
The most recent development in communication technology is the advent of virtual reality. Virtual reality allows the user to more immersively engage in simulated ideas. Users can design personalized avatars and join other users at virtual locations. Conversations in the virtual realm may include verbal, textual, and gesticulating elements. Unlike video calls, virtual reality participants are not limited to what can be seen on a small screen.
Benefits and Criticisms
On one hand, virtual communication allows users to alleviate or eliminate distance barriers. Participating parties may rapidly exchange precise information with almost no delay between distant locations. Individuals who find themselves unable to move or travel may still interact with others via remote methods. Business and personal meetings can be scheduled more flexibly, and participants who previously faced time constraints can now participate virtually. Many companies find that virtual communication allows them to employ skilled workers from a distance away.
Widespread use of virtual communication technology is not without its criticisms, however. Forbes noted that companies who rely on remote workers face certain challenges, including feelings of isolation and lack of trust or camaraderie among workers (Bailey, 2013). Prior to the widespread distribution of video chat technology, nonverbal cues such as facial expression, body posture, hand gestures, and others were unavailable to users of virtual communication. Even with video transmission included, users must employ additional clarity and effort to prevent miscommunication.
There are also health risks if virtual communication becomes a complete replacement to personal communication. Aric Sigman wrote in the journal "Biology" that online communication was fast eclipsing time spent in face-to-face interaction in both Britain and the USA. Sigman noted that reduced personal interaction was correlated to increased feelings of loneliness and reduced sleep efficiency. Lack of sleep is believed to contribute to health deterioration in many areas. People with reduced face-to-face time also showed susceptibility to heart troubles, inflammations, and strokes (Sigman, 2009). As early as 1998, studies were indicating that users of the Internet had decreased social circles, worse moods, and increased depression and loneliness. Sigman concluded with concerning warnings about the effects of social disengagement on children, and proposed that physicians advise their clients about the potential health effects of letting social networking replace real interpersonal relationships.
Future Forecasts
Mark Zuckerberg, founder of the popular social website Facebook, predicted in 2015 that people would one day be able to send "full, rich thoughts to each other directly using technology." (Caitlyn Dewey, Washington Post, 2015). This could reduce some of the barriers of virtual interaction, and open the door for an unprecedented level of communication. The online professional networking site LinkedIn predicts that the future of communication technology includes wearable health technology, an internet of things, large quantities of data and cloud storage, and humanitarian projects to provide internet access to underprivileged areas of the globe (Pozin, 2016). It seems that virtual communication is here to stay.
Sigman, A. (February 2009). Well connected? The biological implications of 'social networking'. Biology, 8(1), 14-20. Retrieved from http://aricsigman.com/IMAGES/Sigman_lo.pdf
Virtual Communication:
According to writer Cheryl Frost, "virtual communication technology refers to any technology people use to communicate with each other when they can't be face to face" (Frost, n.d.). Some might consider the era of virtual communication to begin with the development of the webcam in the 1990's, but others may allow for alternative uses of the term to include other types of communication without face-to-face interaction.
History and Definition
In a general sense, communication involves any technique used to transfer thoughts, concepts, or information. Many plants and animals use various means (including sounds, colors, smells, and other chemical methods) and to exchange or display information about their environment. Humans have been using verbal language and body posture to communicate for many centuries.
Virtual communication, then, is distinguished by one or both parties being physically absent, or out of reach of normal verbal communication; shouting at one other from across a field does not constitute virtual communication. Yet definitions differ as to what does constitute virtual communication. Umea University defined it as, "the information, communication, and action, mediated by new information technologies, where contents, intentions, or actors may be nonexistent, distorted, replaced, or created - intentionally or unintentionally.” This definition includes communication between real persons through technological means, but also includes simulated communications between human users and non-human created entities.
Early remote communication methods included both written symbols and coded loud noises such as trumpets or drums. Written letters allowed people to communicate across long distances, albeit with significant delays between query and response. Meanwhile, aquatic sailing vessels devised flag codes to communicate identification and status information without resorting to easily garbled verbal exchanges. These methods might be considered early forms of virtual communication. Later years saw the arrival of telegraphed text messages, and still later, audio messages via radio. In modern times, real-time video allows an unprecedented level of detailed communication across vast distances, including from opposite sides of the planet.
Benefits and Criticisms
On one hand, virtual communication allows users to alleviate or eliminate distance barriers. Participating parties may rapidly exchange precise information with almost no delay between distant locations. Individuals who find themselves unable to move or travel may still interact with others via remote methods. Business and personal meetings can be scheduled more flexibly, and participants who previously faced time constraints can now participate virtually. Many companies find that virtual communication allows them to employ skilled workers from a distance away.
Widespread use of virtual communication technology is not without its criticisms, however. Forbes noted that companies who rely on remote workers face certain challenges, including feelings of isolation and lack of trust or camaraderie among workers (Bailey, 2013). Prior to the widespread distribution of video chat technology, nonverbal cues such as facial expression, body posture, hand gestures, and others were unavailable to users of virtual communication. Even with video transmission included, users must employ additional clarity and effort to prevent miscommunication.
There are also health risks if virtual communication becomes a complete replacement to personal communication. Aric Sigman wrote in the journal "Biology" that online communication was fast eclipsing time spent in face-to-face interaction in both Britain and the USA. Sigman noted that reduced personal interaction was correlated to increased feelings of loneliness and reduced sleep efficiency. Lack of sleep is believed to contribute to health deterioration in many areas. People with reduced face-to-face time also showed susceptibility to heart troubles, inflammations, and strokes (Sigman, 2009). As early as 1998, studies were indicating that users of the Internet had decreased social circles, worse moods, and increased depression and loneliness. Sigman concluded with concerning warnings about the effects of social disengagement on children, and proposed that physicians advise their clients about the potential health effects of letting social networking replace real interpersonal relationships.
Future Forecasts
Mark Zuckerberg, founder of the popular social website Facebook, predicted in 2015 that people would one day be able to send "full, rich thoughts to each other directly using technology." (Caitlyn Dewey, Washington Post, 2015). This could reduce some of the barriers of virtual interaction, and open the door for an unprecedented level of communication. The online professional networking site LinkedIn predicts that the future of communication technology includes wearable health technology, an internet of things, large quantities of data and cloud storage, and humanitarian projects to provide internet access to underprivileged areas of the globe (Pozin, 2016). It seems that virtual communication is here to stay.
References
Bailey, S (March 2013). How to beat the five killers of virtual working. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastianbailey/2013/03/05/how-to-overcome-the-five-major-disadvantages-of-virtual-working/#360edda62734
Dewey, C. (July 2015). Mark Zuckerberg says the future of communication is telepathy. Here’s how that would actually work. Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2015/07/01/mark-zuckerberg-says-the-future-of-communication-is-telepathy-heres-how-that-would-actually-work/?utm_term=.3d9793ff2946
ezTalks (n.d.). What is virtual communication? Retrieved from https://www.eztalks.com/unified-communications/what-is-virtual-communication.html
Foner, E. & Garrety, J. (1991). Alexander Graham Bell. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/alexander-graham-bell
Frost, C (n.d.). What is virtual communication technology? Retrieved from
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/what-is-virtual-communication-technology
Pozin, I. (January 2016). This is the future of communication thanks to technology. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/future-communication-thanks-technology-ilya-pozin
Sigman, A. (February 2009). Well connected? The biological implications of 'social networking'. Biology, 8(1), 14-20. Retrieved from http://aricsigman.com/IMAGES/Sigman_lo.pdf
All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.