Reflective Post for Week of 4/2

Our recent discussions in class have been about language on the internet and making conversation. Earlier in the semester, we looked at a bunch of different acronyms used online, such as LOL, OMG, etc. Last week, we did an interesting activity in class in which we had to write an e-mail using a lot of these acronyms. Obviously, we all over- exaggerated for the purposes of the activity. I know I personally do not use that many acronyms when communicating online. I will admit that when I talk on IM, I tend to use LOL way too much, but other than that I try not to overuse acronyms. And when I send e-mails, I rarely use them, because, like we discussed in class, I typically think of e-mails as being more formal and IM more informal. I usually only e-mail teachers or relatives, and I wouldn’t use such casual language when talking to them. Over IM, however, I mainly talk to my friends, so I feel more comfortable using informal language.

For “homework” last week, we had to have a conversation over IM with at least three other classmates. This seemed like a strange assignment, but I guess the point was to learn how to communicate over IM about something other than the typical stuff that most college students chat about when using this technology. Even though I gave up IM for Lent, I was willing to make an exception for homework! Our conversation went pretty well; it did feel a little weird talking to classmates over IM whom I really only see in class a few times a week. Later, I read back over the conversation and realized that I started almost every sentence I typed with the word “yeah” as an introductory clause. I’m really not sure why I did that; I guess I wanted some sort of lead phrase before I actually typed what I wanted to, and it seemed like an informal and appropriate one given the mode of communication.

Well, since today is Easter, I can officially use Facebook and IM again. All in all, it really wasn’t that hard to go six weeks without these things—I guess since I knew I couldn’t, the temptation wasn’t even there. But now that I don’t have any restrictions, I’m sure I’ll go right back to using them and become as sadly addicted ever. My goal is to remember how long I went without them and to convince myself that I don’t need to be on all the time. So hopefully it’ll work…but the opportunity to use them will be there when I need it! Happy Easter everybody!!