The Mercurial Communication Technology (CT)

As a child, I remember my older brother breaking open thermometers and demonstrating how the silvery, shiny glob of mercury could make an old dime look brand new.  This process was fascinating to me. The mercury seemed to almost be alive as it jiggled over the coin’s surface—and if separated from itself by an intrusive finger, when the globs got close enough, it pulled itself together as though it had never been broken apart. It was solid, but not; it was fluid, but not…it was magic!

With all its shiny possibilities to make our lives easier, faster, more social and for business…reach a world of prospective clients; communication technology has some properties similar to mercury. With a push of a button, we can connect to family, friends or work; no matter how far away they might be. 

While this technology may not yet be as “solid” in our minds as mercury seems at room temperature; it’s getting closer every day. We rely on its ability to keep us connected. When a person logs out and then back in, CT rejoins that “isolated” part as though it had never broken the connection. Sometimes, it just seems like magic. Sounds a little familiar, right?

The omnipresence of this technology begs the question, is it safe? Sure, it has all of these wonderful, hypnotic properties that enable us to find information in seconds; but will there be a price? Has there already been? Really, if you think about it, we’ve all known, and maybe even welcomed this intrusion into our personal lives; accepting that privacy does not exist on the internet. Are we becoming desensitized to protecting our “down time” and redefining what “personal space” means? 

What can be learned from mercury which may be applied to CT? No longer an awestruck child, I have since learned that not only is mercury a toxic heavy metal that causes brain damage; it also changes the surface of silver coins…forever. There’s no way to get it completely off and it continually works to displace the silver in those coins ‘cleaned’ with mercury; effectively devaluing them instantly.

Since mercury can make a coin shine immediately; and permanently erode it’s properties; can communication technology (CT) change our lives similarly as it continues pulling us back in every day? As it relinks us to a global social body? It’s available on our desktops, in our briefcases, on our laps, in our pockets or purses…our vehicles—at any time, we can rejoin the nebulous glob of CT with the push of a button or touch of a screen…or just our voice. It’s leached into every aspect of our lives.  

So, again, I ask the question; is it safe? Will we find out 50 years from now that there’s been irreversible damage? Of course, we don’t really know at this point, but I think it’s worth asking the questions…and not to “someone else.” Let’s ask ourselves what this may be displacing within us. Communication technology makes our lives seem easier, faster and more social. Maybe it should come with a disclaimer? 

Warning: too much technology can create social, psychological and anti-social behavior problems where none existed before.

New terms have entered into our language, which describe the pitfalls created by communication technology: technostress and technology detox. (The term “technostress” was coined in 1984 by clinical psychologist Craig Brod,) ^[1];

I found a great article on technostress if you’d like to read it: http://features.clemson.edu/creative-services/homepage/2013/techno-stress-working-in-a-digital-age-can-be-nerve-wracking/ ^[2] Of course, it’s online; and no, the irony isn’t lost on me. Within the article is a section of the benefits of ‘unplugging’ and detoxing from technology. It’s clear that we need to manage some boundaries for inviting technology into our lives; so we can remain healthy in myriad ways.

 

Find ways to disconnect and enjoy life. Remember that we all can suffer from technostress; even employees.

-T. Barlow AAF Creative, LLC

But, My Nephew's Girlfriend's Brother Will Do It For Free!

...So Why Do I Need To Hire A Designer?
 

Really? You have to ask a question like this?

How do we communicate? Why do we communicate? How does technology change the effectiveness of our communication? Who do we turn to for expertise?

It's Just Not Natural!

As people, communication is a complex natural combination of tone, body language, facial expression and speech. This multidimensional interaction between people creates understanding and can persuade or influence others to form opinions about whatever it is we are communicating. Listening is also an important aspect of communication. BUT...the nature of business today is so technologically advanced, it removes the natural face-to-face communication to a large extent. So how can we effectively communicate without these natural cues?

In business, we understand the importance of communicating our message to potential customers/clients. We know that to gain the customer's trust, we must be effective communicators. This is why we have meetings and call clients on the phone or send emails...to establish and maintain trust through communication. But what if you're not there to communicate your message; as is the purpose of advertising? Most businesses today have websites as well; and they promote them. How can you trust that your message is getting through in an advertisement or on your website if you don't understand the nature of effective visual communication? 

To find these answers, you could interview your customers for what they think of your website or billboard. You could form your own focus group with members of your particular demographic and research those findings. Or, you could ask your designer to critically assess your advertising and marketing materials. That's a no-brainer, right? Not necessarily.

Say What?

What you need to know about "graphic designers" is this: they're a dime a dozen. You can't swing a cat without hitting someone claiming to be a "graphic designer." There is an ongoing debate right now in my profession to certify designers according to their level of expertise through education and experience. Yes, a state board for designers! That would go a long way for letting businesses know the level of designer they have...instead of having to rely on claims which may be false.

Where would your current designer fall on that scale? That's something you need to know. How do you find out? Ask. Ask how long they've been a practicing designer and what their degree level is. Most designers are happy to tell you this information. If they resist, that tells you something as well. Your attorney is licensed by the courts, your physician and even hair dresser must take a state board...why not your designer? After all, their creativity, knowledge and experience is what you're counting on to communicate your message to a large audience. Don't you want that message in the best hands possible?

-tb

Be sure to check out the AAF Creative website