Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a great representation of the role the Internet plays in our lives. Although the episode was produced nearly ten years ago, the idea of the Internet and CMC consuming our lives was not farfetched.

We have become reliant on technology as a primary source of interaction and communication. This reliance has led many individuals to lose a sense of face to face interpersonal communication and adequate social skills. The episode showed Willow developing a relationship with Malcolm, solely through the means of CMC. Unbeknownst to Willow, Malcolm was not the person he appeared to be and threatened her safety.

Willow’s situation is not an anomaly and sadly this type of situation occurs daily. In the episode a character accurately defined our current technological culture by stating that computers are “showing students a world with love, power and knowledge.” Many people find security when using the Internet and CMC because they can hide behind a façade and fill various voids in their lives.

In terms of interpersonal communication and the episode it is difficult to discover an individual’s personality and their intentions through CMC. A problem with the Internet arises because it fits the role of text based communication but lacks content associated with interpersonal communication such as nonverbal cues. As we discussed in Unit 1, CMC and the Internet have a psychological impact allowing someone to develop a persona and become someone they are not. The Internet contains a wealth of information making it very simple for a user to become asocial or antisocial and manipulate others through CMC.

Although it may appear the Internet is full of negativity, there are some positive aspects especially for the future. Our generation as well as future generations will be accustom to using CMC because it is becoming invisible technology as referred to by Unit 3. The Internet has become both a method of gathering information as well as a complete, customized experience. CMC will help conversing with loved ones and friends much easier and efficient. Our CMC capabilities will reach further than text-based communication such as AOL Instant Messenger and E-mail. We now have the ability to share full experiences and moments with family members through videos and pictures. The Internet will continue to be a primary mean of global communication for both personal and professional use.