E-Fatigue

I find this concept to be interesting in chapter 11 for two reasons. One is because I have never heard of the term. Second is that I believe this is a true statement of how communication effects our current society.
Being that I am between generations of the cyber age and of the one that precedes, I see the relevance to this term. When I was younger the internet was just introduced. Had I known that technology would eventually replace books and classrooms, I might have reconsidered the thought of actually physically attending college. But aside from that I find the consistent change of technology keeps me interested. Every year it seems that there is something significantly different than before. Technology changes quite frequently that at times it’s hard to keep up. I remember when I just bought my first phone and how excited I was. Then the newer model came out only months later. I remember that feeling of wanting the newer version because mine was already outdated. Honestly that feeling was a bit of an annoyance.

Medium

Mediums consist of different tools of communication. Those tools can be through television, radio, or the internet to name a few. I believe any sort of medium is important because it is in the perception of individuals who place value on these tools. Format, content, and broadcasting elements of communication go hand in hand. First the formatting would have to illustrate a particular interest. The content would then display this particular interest. Lastly it is how the interest is broadcasted to gain the most prospects. I find that it is the interests of audiences that ultimately determine what goes into each element. For example gamers will most likely pay attention to these elements if they are set into a video game. Another example would be of sports fanatics. Their medium would perhaps be more effective on the large advertising screen at a sporting event. So yes I would have to conclude that the medium is essential to successfully relay a message.

Cyber friendships

In regards to having friendships online, I have established few through networking sites. There are some that only exist through the internet because some are with others who live in other countries. I find it difficult to have face to face friendships with those who do not live near by. The internet seems to have the proper tools in order to keep those lines of friendship intact.
I think face to face friendships largely differ from online relationships. One reason is because I see how friends of my own have friendships online. Yes they converse online but I have yet to witness any of them finding interest conversing in person. In my opinion I think these relationships simply are not the same as those with face to face relationships because they are established online. Honestly I think this question is difficult to explain because there are some people who truly value friendships online and those who do not. As for myself I could really careless either way.

Dating in the Workplace

The one concept from chapter 8 in Trenholm I’d like to discuss is workplace relationships. I found this topic interesting because there have been stigmas attached to dating in the workplace as taboo and to not consider the option for years. However it seems that the stigma is quickly fading. For the most part I would agree that having a workplace relationship can be complicated. But if it happens to work out in the end, that would be the more positive aspect. The negative aspect is that it may not work out. When it doesn’t work out things can get complicated. For example if the two individuals worked in the same department and there is a need for constant interaction a break-up might have an impact on workflow. On the other hand if the two individuals work in a large corporation and in separate departments, complications won’t be as evident. None the less work relationships should be carefully thought through before engaging.

Communication Etiquette

Cellular phones have definitely contributed to life conveniences. Answering machines are now a thing of the past. Conference calls have narrowed down the distance between important contacts. Faxes have found ways for important documents to be imported at faster rates. Among these technological communication types, I believe call phones have caused numerous annoyances as well. Most of the annoyances I have noticed are when people use them while driving-really? I know we can all be guilty of it, but if we can live through decades of driving without talking on a phone why stop now? Along with the annoyances it can also be very dangerous.
Timing communication is key to any fundamental concern, especially in regards to time zones. For example one shouldn’t send a fax or make a phone call at 9 pm in California to someone in New York because it would midnight. Setting up email or internet screen names for work versus personal is important. You wouldn’t want your work screen name to be “big.papa.4.u” because people may not take you seriously. It just seems to be common etiquette. Call waiting use to be an exciting feature. Being able to take two phone calls at home sounded convenient. However to others it can become quite irritating. The question I pose for this is if I am to call first, why should I hold on so you can a second? What I have to say about call waiting is that they can wait.

Community outreach

Organizations tend to have a focus on the environment they are in. For example homeless shelters tend to be in urban areas, whereas country clubs are typically in the suburbs. Another example would be how my school is built in the center of downtown San Jose which is between urban and suburban. Much of the campus’ organizations are focused on poverty, low income families, and homelessness. Through my education at San Jose State, I have participated in many affiliations involving homelessness and poverty. I believe being that San Jose State is near an urban area, it serves an obligation to reach out to the problems urban areas tend to have.
The ethical value of San Jose State is that it is reaching out to the urban community. I believe there are always ethical values of organizations. Typically community organizations are developed to help implement services that help with social issues such as illiteracy or drug dependency. Which ever the case may be or what area they are in, organizations help find solutions to those problems.

On the Positive Side

The most interesting and important concept from Trenholm (2011) in chapter 6 is Relational Maintenance Behavior. I thought the concepts of positivity, openness, assurance, networks, task sharing, conflict management, and advice sharing-offering are characteristics of a successful relationship. Whether it’s platonic or romantic these concepts can help shape and improve relationships. The most important one I believe is positivity. According to Trenholm positivity is where partners are cheerful and optimistic, build each other’s self-esteem, patient and forgiving, and refrain from criticism. While I don’t completely agree that we can comply with these guidelines constantly we should always remain objective about situations and know that we are all human and make mistakes.
The concept I believe to be the most useful is task sharing. Trenholm states that task sharing is where individuals are both equally responsible in a relationship and both help with tasks that need to be done (2011). This reminds me of teamwork. Teamwork can help improve on communication and also simplify issues that seem difficult.

Getting to know you

In relation to the readings the filters I typically rely on to objectively choose a spouse would be physical proximity and interaction cues. Physical proximity is important to me because I don’t take well to long distance relationships. I believe that living within close proximities of friends is also helpful to keep relationships close. Interaction cues are relevant in how I choose a spouse because I would want to have comfortable interactions. According to Trenholm interaction cues determine if conversations will go smooth and comfortable or awkward and difficult (2011). For the most part this filter is important because I don’t want to struggle keeping conversations interesting. I can also tell if I have common interests with someone simply by interactions.
Characteristics in someone I don’t care for are those who like to talk about themselves. I find that people who talk about themselves tend to be uninteresting or disinterested in me. Self centeredness is truly unattractive. As far as eliminating and reconsidering someone based on different filters is something I have experienced. There have been several instances where I didn’t care for someone because a conversation didn’t go well (interaction cues), however getting to know that individual better did I reconsider them as a friend (cognitive cues).

One-up

In regards to rigid complementarity, competitive symmetry, and submissive symmetry I would have to argue that rigid complimentarity would be the hardest to change. Being that I once lived under the strict rules of my parents and now being a parent myself I understand how this concept would be hard to change. As a child, adolescent, and young adult I was constantly making the wrong decisions-even when I thought I was making good ones. Therefore I believe parents naturally assume the position as the “one-up” person to help guide their children to make proper decisions. Now that I’m a parent I want to do the same for my child. Though it will be frustrating at times I believe that it’s hard to change because parents will want to be the person in charge.
Out of the three concepts the one I think would be the most damaging would be competitive symmetry. In Trenholm it states that to individuals compete to be in the higher position (2011). I think this is damaging to any relationship when competition is involved. Friendships rely on equal ability and mutual understanding to sustain a relationship. Competitiveness will only add tension eventually resulting in negative feelings. I also believe this concept can cause self-esteem issues. If two individuals are in constant opposition one person may eventually think the other is better-even though it’s not true. I’ve seen this happen in many friendships through high school where teens compete for popularity.