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Re: [Air-L] CMC - mobile phones included?
by Darja Dayter 17 Jul '13

17 Jul '13

Dear all, thank you so much for your responses. Incidentally, my question was prompted by reading one of the articles that got mentioned during the discussion, Herring (2013), and the contents of this Handbook in general. I am currently writing a review of it for the Linguist List, and I wanted to see if there is a debate going on about the usefulness and coverage of the 'CMC' tem (which I am picking up on at the conferences, but haven't seen in writing so far). I think the variety of replies itself is the best answer to my query! S. C. Herring, D. Stein, & T. Virtanen (Eds.), Handbook of pragmatics of computer-mediated communication. Berlin: Mouton. ~Darja ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Darja Dayter, M.A. Universität Bayreuth, Englische Sprachwissenschaft Tel. 0921/55-4644 daria.dayter(a)uni-bayreuth.de Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 04:14:46 +0000 > From: Jennifer Stromer-Galley <jstromer(a)syr.edu> > To: AoIR-L <air-l(a)listserv.aoir.org> > Subject: Re: [Air-L] CMC - mobile phones included? > Message-ID: > <58ACB774CD3A274A828C0A15EF7A1BE119BF8ECF(a)SUEX10-mbx-01.ad.syr.edu > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Bring on the navel gazing! > > Seriously, though, I think we need to be thoughtful about our covering > terms. The ways of categorizing and the names of those categories shape how > we then subsequently think of those categories and what gets included and > excluded (as others have said; I am reminded of Lakoff's discussion of > metaphors and the ways we use language and it uses us to shape > understanding of our shared reality.) > > Anyway, for me computer-mediated communication frames and privileges the > human communication that occurs via computer (with the help of the > Internet, of course). But, I don?t quite know where to put mobile. The > lineage of scholarship on mobile has not historically used CMC as a > covering term (I think Rich noted that), because until recently mobile > phones, while having microchips, were not the sort of processors we have in > current smart phone technology. But, now that we have these amazing smart > phones (heh, *smart* phones), I don't know, maybe we should apply CMC as > the categorizing term. > > I noted my preference for digital media as a term. It describes a > particular set of channels that serve as the means to communication (the > parallel term for me is mass media). But, now Charles and others have > forced me to think more about what gets included and what gets excluded > with that term. I thought I knew, but now I don't! > > The joys of navel gazing, one's perspective shifts. > > ~Jenny > > -----Original Message----- > From: air-l-bounces(a)listserv.aoir.org [mailto: > air-l-bounces(a)listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of Nicholas Bowman > Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2013 12:43 PM > To: AoIR-L; Christian Licoppe > Subject: Re: [Air-L] CMC - mobile phones included? > > Ah! > > I was waiting for the debate over the over-privileging of > technology/machine in the "C"MC definition. To be honest, I don't know if > we've (as a field) really specified why "computer" is so important (besides > the fact that "we are using computing technology" - to the extent that we > have really explained 'computing' as an important feature. Is pen and > pencil a computational task in the same way rendering a message via text > is, for example?). > > Some might see this discussion as "navel-gazing" but to be honest, I like > when we all push each other's views. I don't personally buy the > Wittgensteinian approach and I do tend to (and, to be frank, want to) > privilege the machine, but it is now on me to actually draft the arguments, > right? > > Apologies for the exploding e-mail box. If there are any bloggers out > there (I moderate "On Media Theory ( http://onmediatheory.blogspot.de/)" but I haven't posted since semester break) I'd be curious to > read/write/share thoughts on this in a more deliberate and less obtrusive > (for those who don't want to read the spam of our conversation), permanent > space. I'm also eager to track down the Herring et al. article references > earlier. > > The original question of course was one about embedding 'mobile' in 'CMC' > and to that I say, "sure." Darja, thanks for the discussion prompt, >>und > 'allo aus Erfurt, Thuringen!<<. > > > ~nick > > Nicholas David Bowman, Ph.D. > ( http://ndbowman.info/ )Assistant Professor of Communication Studies; > > Research Associate, Media and Interaction Lab West Virginia University > > Vice-Chair, Game Studies Interest Group > International Communication Association > > Interim Social Media Director > Eastern Communication Association > ______________________ > Twitter @bowmanspartan > Skype ID: nicholasdbowman > On Media Theory... ( http://onmediatheory.blogspot.com/ ) > >>> Christian Licoppe <christian.licoppe(a)telecom-paristech.fr> > 16-Jul-13 18:08 >>> > Dear all > > rather than wondering under which conditions one may embed mobile > communication in cmc one may also wonder whether there is such a thing as > cmc (with its hint of technological determinism : "computer"-MC and whether > it would not be more fruitful to adopt a more wittgensteinian approach, and > focus on different "language games" > performed in various media (including face to face, and paper media) and > settings, and bearing a form of "family resemblance" between them > > Christian Licoppe > Department of Social Science, Telecom Paristech > 33 (0)6 87 09 99 48 > > > ----- Mail original ----- > De: "Nicholas Bowman" <Nicholas.Bowman(a)mail.wvu.edu> > ?: alex(a)halavais.net, "AoIR-L" <air-l(a)listserv.aoir.org> > Envoy?: Mardi 16 Juillet 2013 17:54:23 > Objet: Re: [Air-L] CMC - mobile phones included? > > Quick response: > > I think we "care" for all of the reasons that you list (for better or > worse) but really, the fourth is key. Theories are based on assumptions, > and those assumptions are what we test when trying to understand the > influence of, in this case, technology on the human communication process. > > If we literally interpret CMC as "computer-mediated communication" > then > we might suggest that any medium (go-between) that computationally > handles(renders?) a message from a sender to a receiver should be > considered. A cell phone certainly being a device that takes my original > message, renders it into binary waves that are transmitted to another > device and re-rendered in part (i..e, the cell phone can't render my > non-verbals such as facial expressions, etc.) before delivered to a > receiver. Such research tends to focus on message components that are > altered in the rendering/re-rendering process (such as losing non-verbals). > > If we talk about CMC when we really mean social media, then perhaps we are > studying the "masspersonal" nature of information, existing persistently in > large, dynamic and semi-public series of social networks. Issues of privacy > and negotiating identity, representation and "we are all media" and muted > groups theory, etc. > > With the above examples, CMC as "rendering" and CMC as "social media" > aren't really the same thing. Or perhaps one encompassed the other (all > social media render messages, therefore they are CMC. But not all CMC are > social media, because not all CMC exist in persistent, semi-public > networks). > I very much like Alex's comments, but I'm not too quick to dismiss the > issue of definition (and neither is he, from the onset) - and I'm very > happy to see others engaging the discussion as well. Definitions can be > limiting, but they focus our theorizing on the particular phenomenon for > which the theories are supposed to apply to. Hence, we avoid comparing > angels to pins. > > Of course, after writing this I tell our original poster: "Yes, mobile > communication is CMC." =) > > [Apologies: I've missed several earlier posts in here that I wasn't able > to read before I deleted them in my filter - I saw that friend Steven > Lovaas posted something, so I'm going to assume his comments were pretty > smart. ;p ] > > >>> Alexander Halavais <halavais(a)gmail.com> 16-Jul-13 17:08 >>> > Who cares? > > I don't mean that to be dismissive, I mean it as a real question. CMC > isn't a "thing" without its context. Louis mentions CMC as a "field." > And OK, but even that is awfully vague. It seems that this question is > often raised as a "that doesn't 'count' in our field"--a label for > excluding certain ways of doing research or thinking about it. Without that > context, the discussion of what to call this stuff seems to me to be a bit > like arguing about angels and pins. Who cares what it's called or how it's > clustered? > > Off-hand, I can think of a few contexts in which people might care: > > * The purview of a journal. ("Oh, no, we can't publish that in JCMC, > because it has to do with mobile communication!") > > * A curriculum. ("How could we have a CMC degree without ever having a > course in social networks?") > > * A department. ("We can't hire her, she doesn't really *do* CMC.") > > * To apply a theory. ("While I can't make the claim that this relationship > holds for all media, in CMC, X appears to be related to Y in the following > Z ways.") > > The first three of these seem to me to be largely questions of setting up > borders for defending academic silos: again, the sort of "psychiatry isn't > a science!" border policing that lets people defend turf. To me, those > questions end up being pretty wasteful of time and energy. Isn't it about > time for another Crisis in the Field (name your > field) special issue? > > The last of these might have some merit, but requires that the range be > provisionally and explicitly defined. I can say that what I am writing > about extends to social media, but I need to be clear about what I mean > when I say it, and whether it includes telephones (or newspapers, or only > Facebook, etc.). > > I recognize that shorthand may be useful ("This is CMC; these are the > important theorists to the field; these are the journals that count; these > are the places where it is studied") but ultimately I suspect that it's a > lot of work to set up boundaries that have little hope of holding and can > do as much injury as good. > > - Alex > > On Tue, Jul 16, 2013 at 7:05 AM, <Richard.Ling(a)telenor.com> wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > I am interested that CMC is now (perhaps?) being applied to mobile > comm. There is a long tradition (on the side of mobile research) of simply > calling it mobile communication. My sense is that this has been common for > the last decade. Clearly there are exceptions, but there is a legacy along > these lines. There is a strong flavor of one-to-one interaction, mediated > through telecom networks using mobile phones. > > > > More recently there has been the rise of smart phones that combine > the more traditional mobile communication (that is one-to-one > interaction) with more SNS type of quasi-broadcast mode. Again, there are > many shades of this discussion. > > > > There are computers involved in all of this so in a broad sense > "computer mediated" is applicable. However, it seems as though folding > social networking into the mobile handset has given the discussion a turn > in the direction of internet or PC-based nomenclature. > > > > Rich L. > > > > Sent from IPhone > > > > On 16. juli 2013, at 15:47, "Lois Scheidt" <lscheidt(a)indiana.edu> > wrote: > > > >> Susan Herring has an article that addresses state of the field in > CMC at: > >> Herring, S. C., Stein, D., & Virtanen, T., Eds. (2013). > Introduction > to the > >> pragmatics of computer-mediated communication. Handbook of > pragmatics of > >> computer-mediated communication (pp. 3-31). Berlin: Mouton. > Prepublication > >> version: > >> > > http://ella.slis.indiana.edu/~herring/CMC.pragmatics.intro.herring.et.al.pdf > >> > >> She also has an article that tackles the nomenclature issue but I'm > not > >> putting my hands on it at the moment. I've cc'd her so maybe she > can > >> contribute that information or one of the other readers may have it > as well. > >> > >> Lois > >> > >> > >> On Tue, Jul 16, 2013 at 4:21 AM, Pask-Hughes, Alexander < > >> a.pask-hughes(a)lancaster.ac.uk> wrote: > >> > >>> Dear all, > >>> > >>> I did reply off list to suggest Caroline Tagg's book about the > discourse > >>> of text messaging, though in retrospect I'm not sure that really > answers > >>> Darja's question. > >>> > >>> One problem, which has been alluded to, is that the term CMC > presupposes > >>> that the thing doing the mediating (the "computer"), is what > defines the > >>> communication in some way. And it might be, but I think it might > be > >>> dangerous to presuppose this. > >>> > >>> The other issue is what CMC is contrasted with. Are we saying that > >>> "computer-mediated communication" is somehow different from > "face-to-face > >>> communication"? What about those contexts where face-to-face > communication > >>> is computer-mediated in a less obvious way? For example, when I go > into a > >>> coffee shop and am speaking to the cashier, is this > "computer-mediated > >>> communication"? Well, yes, in the sense that the "computer" (the > "till" or > >>> "cash register") is mediating our interaction. And if we're > extending the > >>> term to account for practices such as these, does the term start > to > lose > >>> it's usefulness? > >>> > >>> From this perspective, I have a feeling that some of the Scollon's > work > >>> (e.g. Mediated Discourse: The Nexus of Practice [2001] or Nexus > Analysis: > >>> Discourse and the Emerging Internet [2004]) or work in Literacy > Studies > >>> (e.g. by David Barton, Michele Knobel, Colin Lankshear, Guy > Merchant) may > >>> be useful for you. > >>> > >>> Alexander David Pask-Hughes > >>> > >>> Department of Linguistics and English Language Lancaster University > >>> > >>> a.pask-hughes(a)lancaster.ac.uk > >>> adpaskhughes(a)hotmail.co.uk > >>> > >>> Twitter: @adpaskhughes > >>> ________________________________________ > >>> From: air-l-bounces(a)listserv.aoir.org > [air-l-bounces(a)listserv.aoir.org] > >>> on behalf of Lovaas,Steven [Steven.Lovaas(a)ColoState.EDU] > >>> Sent: 16 July 2013 07:33 > >>> To: Charles Ess; Jennifer Stromer-Galley; Darja Dayter; Air list > >>> Subject: Re: [Air-L] CMC - mobile phones included? > >>> > >>> Charles, Jenny and Darja, > >>> > >>> Personally, as an IT security professional, I find the notion of > 'digital > >>> bug spray' quite appealing :) > >>> > >>> But as for CMC, while the term has a certain cachet simply through > >>> repeated use, it does seem (to me) to suggest a limit on what > counts as a > >>> valid instance of "communication": the transmissional model of > >>> person-->technology-->person and back again. The computer (or a > network > >>> thereof) is the mediator... a mere tool; only people are > privileged > as > >>> proper communicators. I'm not necessarily suggesting that we > always > (or > >>> ever) have deep, meaningful relationships with our computing > platform of > >>> choice, but certainly we ought at least to consider that some > non-human > >>> elements of our vast global technological web might be considered > valid > >>> communication partners in their own right. If that's even vaguely > >>> palatable, what then is the mediator in CMC? > >>> > >>> "ICT" seems too heavily technology-oriented, while "HCI" seems to > ignore > >>> the human-to-human aspect. Ought we strive for an all-encompassing > term > >>> that expresses something like "communication across, through, > with, > and > >>> about computer technology"? Or maybe we should take a step back... > what did > >>> we call it before the advent of the interwebs? I believe we > naively, > >>> quaintly referred to it simply as Communication, understanding > that > it > >>> could happen face-to-face or over a telephone line or two-way > radio > or even > >>> video-phone. If it was one-way, from single producer to many > consumers, we > >>> might narrow it down to "Mass" comm, but it was still > communication > no > >>> matter what technology was used (paper, radio waves, or whatever). > >>> "Technical" communication had more to do with communicating > technical > >>> topics than with any particular medium. In fact, "medium" is the > mediator > >>> (if not always the message). Can I have mediated communication in > which the > >>> mediator is a human? Certainly. Can I similarly have direct, > unmediated > >>> communication with a computer artifact? I think so. And, based on > the > >>> wonderfully diverse papers I heard in Salford last year, we care > about all > >>> of those shades of meaning. > >>> > >>> OK, so where does that leave us? We tend to want to say things > that > are > >>> fairly broadly (if not universally) true, or at least useful > across > >>> contexts. The internet (yes, including mobile phones) has become a > pretty > >>> stinkin' huge context, and some folks are wondering whether we > need > to be > >>> attending to the possibilities of communicative relationships with > >>> non-human actors. So. If the M (mediated) feels too limiting, and > the first > >>> C (computer) is too prescriptive, does retreating to "just" > Communication > >>> feel somehow unsatisfying? > >>> > >>> Some organizations from the early days of the internet (q.v. > Computer > >>> Professionals for Social Responsibility) have folded. I suspect, > in > part, > >>> that the ubiquity of the internet has lessened the interest or > impact of > >>> groups specifically dedicated to looking at how computers have > *changed* > >>> traditional fields. Computers are now inextricably *part* of every > >>> traditional field. So what does it mean to be an internet > researcher? Is > >>> there a name we can claim that's different from those > organizations > that > >>> focus on traditional issues in Communication (though acknowledging > internet > >>> issues)? I suspect that, as a baseline, our organization requires > *some* > >>> sort of involvement with a technological element. As a newbie in > some > >>> senses (though an experienced internet dude in others), I'll throw > out a > >>> few possibilities... just to roil the waters. > >>> > >>> Human-Computer-Communication (HCC) > >>> Networked Communication > >>> Networked Human Communication > >>> Riding the Shockwave (sorry, just had to) Network Actors, > >>> Technologies, Communicating Humans ('natch!) > >>> > >>> Yikes... time for bed. > >>> > >>> Steve > >>> > >>> > >>> =================== > >>> Steven Lovaas > >>> IT Security Manager > >>> Colorado State University > >>> steven.lovaas(a)colostate.edu > >>> 970-297-3707 > >>> =================== > >>> ________________________________________ > >>> From: air-l-bounces(a)listserv.aoir.org > [air-l-bounces(a)listserv.aoir.org] > >>> on behalf of Charles Ess [charles.ess(a)gmail.com] > >>> Sent: Monday, July 15, 2013 10:53 PM > >>> To: Jennifer Stromer-Galley; Darja Dayter; Air list > >>> Subject: Re: [Air-L] CMC - mobile phones included? > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Thanks for this, Jennifer, Darja - > >>> This helps reinforce my sense that we don't really have an > accurate > (much > >>> less sexy) term that is both broad enough and precise enough. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> I've been objecting to "digital" media for some time now - though > not > >>> nearly > >>> as long as Brian Massumi (2002) - because while the main > processing > and > >>> transmission technologies are certainly digital, they operate > (necessarily) > >>> with analogue inputs and outputs. (We remain stubbornly embodied, > for > >>> better and for worse, and our senses are analogue, not > digitally-based.) > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> While CMC admittedly seems quaint (I'm sure I do too ...) - it > does > seem to > >>> me to be accurate: so far as I can tell, everything that we > examine > in the > >>> various foci and topoi characteristic of AoIR and what some of us > simply > >>> call Internet Studies, depends on computer processing, whether > within > >>> mobile > >>> devices or laptop/desktop computers, along with all of the > processing that > >>> takes place in order to facilitate networked communication between > these > >>> devices and ultimately those of us using them as communication > devices. > >>> I have a vague hunch as to what Jennifer might mean by the term > being too > >>> restrictive - perhaps along the lines of my finding "digital > media" > too > >>> restrictive? But perhaps you could spell that out a bit just for > the sake > >>> of discussion? (For the record: "quaint" doesn't bother me so > much > ... > >>> Smile) > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> In any event, while I don't have a handy scholarly reference or > two > to > >>> suggest as documentation, I don't think there's any question but > that > >>> mobile > >>> communication - what some call mobile and mobility communication, > others > >>> mobile and locative communication, and so on, all for good reasons > - > >>> including > >>>> texting and voice communication on mobile phones > >>> certainly counts as CMC. (Indeed, the current generation of smart > phones > >>> offer more computational processing power and memory than the > >>> supercomputers of the 1970s, FWIW. Maybe we could call it > >>> super-computer > mediated > >>> communication, just to gum up the works further?) > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Again, many thanks - > >>> - charles > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> On 16.07.13 04:38, "Jennifer Stromer-Galley" <jstromer(a)syr.edu> > wrote: > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>>> This is a great question. I ponder a lot the terminology we toss > about > >>> these > >>>> days related to the phenomena we study that has something to do > with the > >>>> Internet, but now that the Internet is accessed through so many > devices > >>>> "computer-mediated" communication seems too restrictive, maybe > even > >>> quaint. > >>>> > >>>> The shift to reference the technologies, such as information and > >>> communication > >>>> technologies, or my made-up phrase 'digital communication > technologies' > >>> (or > >>>> simply digital media) are what I have shifted to using as my > covering > >>> terms, > >>>> rather than CMC. > >>>> > >>>> I don't find those satisfying either. DCT is an unsexy acronym > that > >>> makes me > >>>> think of bug spray, but I liked it better than ICT for reasons I > can't > >>> really > >>>> articulate. > >>>> > >>>> I personally find 'social media' objectionable, since the > telephone and > >>> e-mail > >>>> are also social media (strictly speaking), but most mean Facebook > or > >>> Twitter, > >>>> which is too limiting, so I avoid that phrase as much as > possible. > >>>> > >>>> I would be curious what others think about the jargon and > covering > terms > >>> we > >>>> use these days. > >>>> > >>>> ~Jenny > >>>> > >>>> -----Original Message----- > >>>> From: air-l-bounces(a)listserv.aoir.org [mailto: > >>> air-l-bounces(a)listserv.aoir.org] > >>>> On Behalf Of Darja Dayter > >>>> Sent: Monday, July 15, 2013 10:24 AM > >>>> To: air-l(a)listserv.aoir.org > >>>> Subject: [Air-L] CMC - mobile phones included? > >>>> > >>>> Dear all, > >>>> > >>>> I am wondering what exactly is included into the term 'CMC' these > days. > >>>> Does texting and voice communication on mobile phones count, for > >>> instance? > >>>> It would be great if you could point me in the direction of > sources that > >>> deal > >>>> explicitly with this issue! > >>>> > >>>> Thanks beforehand, > >>>> Darja > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> -- > >>>> Darja Dayter, M.A. > >>>> Universit?t Bayreuth, Englische Sprachwissenschaft Tel. > 0921/55-4644 > >>>> > daria.dayter(a)uni-bayreuth.de_______________________________________________ > >>>> The Air-L(a)listserv.aoir.org mailing list is provided by the > Association > >>> of > >>>> Internet Researchers http://aoir.org Subscribe, change options or > >>> unsubscribe > >>>> at: http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org > >>>> > >>>> Join the Association of Internet Researchers: > >>>> http://www.aoir.org/ > >>>> _______________________________________________ > >>>> The Air-L(a)listserv.aoir.org mailing list is provided by the > >>>> Association of Internet Researchers > http://aoir.org > >>>> Subscribe, change options or unsubscribe at: > >>>> http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org > >>>> > >>>> Join the Association of Internet Researchers: > >>>> http://www.aoir.org/ > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> The Air-L(a)listserv.aoir.org mailing list is provided by the > >>> Association of Internet Researchers > http://aoir.org > >>> Subscribe, change options or unsubscribe at: > >>> http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Join the Association of Internet Researchers: > >>> http://www.aoir.org/ > >>> =================== > >>> Steven Lovaas > >>> IT Security Manager > >>> Colorado State University > >>> steven.lovaas(a)colostate.edu > >>> 970-297-3707 > >>> =================== > >>> ________________________________________ > >>> From: air-l-bounces(a)listserv.aoir.org > [air-l-bounces(a)listserv.aoir.org] > >>> on behalf of Charles Ess [charles.ess(a)gmail.com] > >>> Sent: Monday, July 15, 2013 10:53 PM > >>> To: Jennifer Stromer-Galley; Darja Dayter; Air list > >>> Subject: Re: [Air-L] CMC - mobile phones included? > >>> > >>> Thanks for this, Jennifer, Darja - > >>> This helps reinforce my sense that we don't really have an > accurate > (much > >>> less sexy) term that is both broad enough and precise enough. > >>> > >>> I've been objecting to "digital" media for some time now - though > not > >>> nearly > >>> as long as Brian Massumi (2002) - because while the main > processing > and > >>> transmission technologies are certainly digital, they operate > (necessarily) > >>> with analogue inputs and outputs. (We remain stubbornly embodied, > for > >>> better and for worse, and our senses are analogue, not > digitally-based.) > >>> > >>> While CMC admittedly seems quaint (I'm sure I do too ...) - it > does > seem to > >>> me to be accurate: so far as I can tell, everything that we > examine > in the > >>> various foci and topoi characteristic of AoIR and what some of us > simply > >>> call Internet Studies, depends on computer processing, whether > within > >>> mobile > >>> devices or laptop/desktop computers, along with all of the > processing that > >>> takes place in order to facilitate networked communication between > these > >>> devices and ultimately those of us using them as communication > devices. > >>> I have a vague hunch as to what Jennifer might mean by the term > being too > >>> restrictive - perhaps along the lines of my finding "digital > media" > too > >>> restrictive? But perhaps you could spell that out a bit just for > the sake > >>> of discussion? (For the record: "quaint" doesn't bother me so > much > ... > >>> Smile) > >>> > >>> In any event, while I don't have a handy scholarly reference or > two > to > >>> suggest as documentation, I don't think there's any question but > that > >>> mobile > >>> communication - what some call mobile and mobility communication, > others > >>> mobile and locative communication, and so on, all for good reasons > - > >>> including > >>>> texting and voice communication on mobile phones > >>> certainly counts as CMC. (Indeed, the current generation of smart > phones > >>> offer more computational processing power and memory than the > >>> supercomputers of the 1970s, FWIW. Maybe we could call it > >>> super-computer > mediated > >>> communication, just to gum up the works further?) > >>> > >>> Again, many thanks - > >>> - charles > >>> > >>> > >>> On 16.07.13 04:38, "Jennifer Stromer-Galley" <jstromer(a)syr.edu> > wrote: > >>> > >>>> This is a great question. I ponder a lot the terminology we toss > about > >>> these > >>>> days related to the phenomena we study that has something to do > with the > >>>> Internet, but now that the Internet is accessed through so many > devices > >>>> "computer-mediated" communication seems too restrictive, maybe > even > >>> quaint. > >>>> > >>>> The shift to reference the technologies, such as information and > >>> communication > >>>> technologies, or my made-up phrase 'digital communication > technologies' > >>> (or > >>>> simply digital media) are what I have shifted to using as my > covering > >>> terms, > >>>> rather than CMC. > >>>> > >>>> I don't find those satisfying either. DCT is an unsexy acronym > that > >>> makes me > >>>> think of bug spray, but I liked it better than ICT for reasons I > can't > >>> really > >>>> articulate. > >>>> > >>>> I personally find 'social media' objectionable, since the > telephone and > >>> e-mail > >>>> are also social media (strictly speaking), but most mean Facebook > or > >>> Twitter, > >>>> which is too limiting, so I avoid that phrase as much as > possible. > >>>> > >>>> I would be curious what others think about the jargon and > covering > terms > >>> we > >>>> use these days. > >>>> > >>>> ~Jenny > >>>> > >>>> -----Original Message----- > >>>> From: air-l-bounces(a)listserv.aoir.org [mailto: > >>> air-l-bounces(a)listserv.aoir.org] > >>>> On Behalf Of Darja Dayter > >>>> Sent: Monday, July 15, 2013 10:24 AM > >>>> To: air-l(a)listserv.aoir.org > >>>> Subject: [Air-L] CMC - mobile phones included? > >>>> > >>>> Dear all, > >>>> > >>>> I am wondering what exactly is included into the term 'CMC' these > days. > >>>> Does texting and voice communication on mobile phones count, for > >>> instance? > >>>> It would be great if you could point me in the direction of > sources that > >>> deal > >>>> explicitly with this issue! > >>>> > >>>> Thanks beforehand, > >>>> Darja > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> -- > >>>> Darja Dayter, M.A. > >>>> Universit?t Bayreuth, Englische Sprachwissenschaft Tel. > 0921/55-4644 > >>>> > daria.dayter(a)uni-bayreuth.de_______________________________________________ > >

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CMC - mobile phones included?
by Darja Dayter 17 Jul '13

17 Jul '13

Dear all, I am wondering what exactly is included into the term 'CMC' these days. Does texting and voice communication on mobile phones count, for instance? It would be great if you could point me in the direction of sources that deal explicitly with this issue! Thanks beforehand, Darja -- Darja Dayter, M.A. Universität Bayreuth, Englische Sprachwissenschaft Tel. 0921/55-4644 daria.dayter(a)uni-bayreuth.de

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Generous PhD Fellowships on offer in Hong Kong
by Herold, David [APSS] 17 Jul '13

17 Jul '13

Dear all, Please pass this on to any students who might be interested: Hong Kong Universities are looking for PhD students with evidence of academic excellence, research ability and potential, and good communication, interpersonal and leadership abilities for full-time PhD study in Hong Kong within the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. The scheme pays for: - Full 3 year tuition scholarship - Monthly stipend of HK$20,000 (approx. US$2,600) - Annual book and equipment allowance of HK$20,000 (approx. US$2,600) - not at all universities !!! - Annual Conference Funding of HK$10,000 (approx. US$1,300) THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS VERY COMPETITIVE! DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: December 1, 2013 for a September 2014 start. HOW TO APPLY: - Identify and approach potential supervisors as soon as possible (see below); - Develop a research proposal with interested supervisor; - Submit application forms (incl. references) and research proposals by the deadline. University websites to start looking for departments and supervisors: Hong Kong University - http://www.hku.edu.hk/ Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - http://www.ust.edu.hk/ Chinese University of Hong Kong - http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/ City University of Hong Kong - http://www.cityu.edu.hk/ Hong Kong Polytechnic University - http://www.polyu.edu.hk/ Hong Kong Baptist University - http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/ Lingnan University - http://www.ln.edu.hk/ Hong Kong Institute of Education - http://www.ied.edu.hk/ My own info for interested students: David Kurt Herold, Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS), HK Polytechnic University Email: David.Herold(a)polyu.edu.hk<mailto:David.Herold@polyu.edu.hk> Research interests: - Internet in China; Internet users and their practices (=culture?); online/offline crossovers - Cross-cultural comparisons; cross-cultural (mis-)communication - Qualitative Research Methods, online research methods - Social Theory, Theories of knowledge, Theories of society >From experience, the following are of help in the application process: - Undergraduate degree and postgraduate degree from different universities, preferably in different countries; - 'Good' universities, very good GPA; - Very good research proposal (incl. literature review, interesting and doable project, etc.); - There is a preference for non-Chinese (there are different programs for Chinese students) to increase their ratio among Hong Kong students. More information: http://www.polyu.edu.hk/ro/hkphd-fellowship/ Best, David ==================== Dr. David Kurt Herold, Assistant Prof. for Sociology, APSS - GH325, HK Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel.: +852-3400 3015 Fax: +852-2773 6558 http://myweb.polyu.edu.hk/~ssherold/ ==================== --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: This message (including any attachments) contains confidential information intended for a specific individual and purpose. If you are not the intended recipient, you should delete this message and notify the sender and the University immediately. Any disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message, or the taking of any action based on it, is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. The University specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through University E-mail Facilities. Any views and opinions expressed are only those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the University and the University accepts no liability whatsoever for any losses or damages incurred or caused to any party as a result of the use of such information.

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Re: [Air-L] CMC - mobile phones included?
by John Paul Laprise 17 Jul '13

17 Jul '13

I'm just catching up on the thread, so my apologies for any redundant comments. FYI I'm primarily a historian of technology do that the frame I'm approaching this from. 1. Smart phones are CMC; "Candybar" dumb phones are not. The differing capabilities and affordances they offer their users are very different. 2. Smart phones do represent something "new", and I say that guardedly as I'm always reluctant to apply the term. Never before have people had the opportunity to own a personal technology that is as customizable and easy to use thanks to GUIs and apps. As an aside, I think smart phones afford their users the opportunity to improve their self-efficacy, especially in societies where the user is discriminated against. 3. Going forward, the quality of the interaction between users and their devices will probably be the sticking point. At some point, dumb phones may actually obsolesce. The question may be how seamless the interaction is. If there is a medium change but no one notices it, does it matter or rather, is there an effect? Best regards, John Laprise, Ph.D. Visiting Fellow Oxford Internet Institute<http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/> Oxford University<http://www.ox.ac.uk/> Assistant Professor of Communication in Residence Northwestern University in Qatar<http://www.qatar.northwestern.edu/> Northwestern University<http://www.northwestern.edu/>

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Re: [Air-L] CMC - mobile phones included?
by Taylor-Smith, Ella 17 Jul '13

17 Jul '13

hi all I'm based in the School of Computing, where many students increasingly develop mobile phone apps (among other things). Some apps do similar things to the kind of things that we would have created for the Internet, when I did my masters there, 10 years ago. And the folk before probably created similar things for cd-roms. And probably even tried to develop similar things for teletext So, from a development point of view, it doesn't make sense to seperate out mobile phones or social media. CMC research can help developers to support, rather than hinder, communication. (Plus of course a vast range of associated qualities like sociability and surveillance) -Ella Ella Taylor-Smith Institute for Informatics and Digital Innovation Edinburgh Napier University 10 Colinton Road Edinburgh, EH10 5DT Email: e.taylor-smith(a)napier.ac.uk http://www.iidi.napier.ac.uk/e.taylor-smith http://about.me/EllaTaylorSmith @EllaTasm Edinburgh Napier University offers industry informed courses which combine the optimum balance of theory and practice to equip graduates for success in today's competitive global job market. 92.3% of our graduates are in work or further study within six months of leaving. With over 17,000 students from over 110 countries, we are an international University and are also proud to be the largest UK provider of higher education in Hong Kong. This message is intended for the addressee(s) only and should not be read, copied or disclosed to anyone else outwith the University without the permission of the sender. It is your responsibility to ensure that this message and any attachments are scanned for viruses or other defects. Edinburgh Napier University does not accept liability for any loss or damage which may result from this email or any attachment, or for errors or omissions arising after it was sent. Email is not a secure medium. Email entering the University's system is subject to routine monitoring and filtering by the University. Edinburgh Napier University is a registered Scottish charity. Registration number SC018373

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Re: [Air-L] CMC - mobile phones included?
by Andrea Guzman 16 Jul '13

16 Jul '13

Hello Darja and everyone else, I think there are multiple questions within the original query. Most of the replies I have seen tackle the "mediated" part of CMC. I agree that this term no longer fits because we also communicate with our machines not simply through them. The focus of my research is on this aspect of communication "with" our machines that occurs both concurrently in our communication with humans (i.e. using Facebook, sending a text, etc) and in our direct interaction with machines (i.e. Siri, AI, etc). As of now, I refer to my research area as "human-machine communication." This term is by no means elegant and, as other people have pointed out, has industrial connotations. I use the term "machine" instead of computer or technology, however, because it is more inclusive. Darja, if you are interested in communication with machines you may want to consult the cybernetics tradition within communication research. There is also the "computer" question: Does a mobile phone qualify as a computer for the purposes of CMC? To that my response is, "Which mobile phone?" Contemporary mobile phones are actually "mobile devices" with multiple technological layers and, arguably, resemble mini-computers more than they do phones. Recent literature on mobile technologies and the history of the mobile phone discusses these different aspects. Another way to approach your question is to look at the specific activities you are studying (text, phone calls) and to consider how they have been treated in the literature in the past or to look at corresponding activities on the (desktop?) computer i.e. instant messaging, etc. Good luck! -- Andrea L. Guzman, M.A. PhD Candidate Department of Communication University of Illinois at Chicago aguzma31(a)uic.edu

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Canada Research Chairs in Big Data Analytics
by Catherine Middleton 15 Jul '13

15 Jul '13

Ryerson University invites applications for two Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs in Big Data Analytics: one focused on the technical aspects of Big Data, and one focused on applications and implications of Big Data in industry, government, health care, education and/or social services. Application deadline is July 31, 2013. Full advertisement is at http://www.ryerson.ca/content/dam/jobs/postings/CRCBigDataAnalytics.pdf, excerpts below. The Canada Research Chairs program was established by the Government of Canada to enable Canadian universities to achieve the highest levels of research excellence in the global, knowledge-based economy. Tier 2 Chairs have five year terms, renewable once, and are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (less than 10 years post-PhD) who have the acknowledged potential to lead their research field. Information about the CRC program can be found at www.chairs.gc.ca. Successful candidates will have original, innovative and high quality research programs that fit with an emphasis on Big Data analytics and Ryerson’s research themes and support Ryerson’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in scholarship, pedagogy, and curriculum. For Ryerson University’s research strategy, please visit www.ryerson.ca/research/SRC%20Strategic%20Plan%202010-2013.pdf Areas of research for the technical aspects/challenges CRC may include distributed computing, algorithm development, integrated systems, network and database architecture, and storage. The applications CRC will research and utilize Big Data techniques to innovatively and creatively address the implications and applications of Big Data in industry, government, health care and/or social services. Both CRC holders will be well-established in terms of top tier publications and research funding, with the capacity to liaise with industry and create collaborative research programs within this highly cross-disciplinary field. Candidates will be appointed at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank and will likely be cross-appointed to various faculties on campus, including the Faculties of Science, Engineering and Architectural Science, Arts, and the Ted Rogers School of Management. The successful applicant will develop with Ryerson University the Canada Research Chair application for the October 2013 deadline, with the goal of joining the University in July 2014.

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CFP: Fan Studies Network Symposium
by Bertha Chin 15 Jul '13

15 Jul '13

Call for papers: ** ** *THE FAN STUDIES NETWORK SYMPOSIUM * *30th November 2013* *University of East Anglia* * * *Keynote: Professor Matt Hills (Aberystwyth University)* ** ** ** ** We are delighted to announce the FSN2013 symposium, taking place at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, on Saturday 30th November 2013. The keynote speaker will be Professor Matt Hills, author of Fan Cultures (Routledge, 2002) and Triumph of a Time Lord: Regenerating Doctor Who in the 21st Century (I.B. Tauris, 2010).**** ** ** We invite abstracts of no more than 300 words for individual 20 minute papers that address any aspect of fandom or fan studies. We encourage new members to the network and welcome proposals for presentations on, but not limited to, the following possible topics:**** ** ** - Fan use of social media platforms**** - Fan practices**** - Activism and fandom**** - Producer-audience interactions**** - Underrepresented fan cultures**** - New modes of fan fiction**** - Ethics in fan studies**** - Politics and Fandom**** - Anti-Fandom and Non-Fandom**** ** ** We also invite expressions of interest (100-200 words) from anyone wishing to host a short session of ‘speed geeking<http://www.unconference.net/unconference-methods-speed-geeking/>.' This would involve each speaker chairing a short discussion on a relevant topic of their choosing, and then receiving extensive feedback, making it ideal for presenting in-progress or undeveloped ideas. **** ** ** The day will conclude with a series of working group discussions, which we anticipate will lead to individual and/or collaborative publication opportunities.**** ** ** Please send any enquires/abstracts to: fsnconference(a)gmail.com by *FRIDAY 23 rd AUGUST*. **** Notifications of acceptance will be sent out w/c 2nd September.**** ** ** You can find out more information on the symposium website: http://www.uea.ac.uk/politics-international-media/events/fan-studies-networ… talk about the event using #FSN2013. **** ** ** ** ** -- Dr. Bertha Chin Independent Scholar <http://cardiff.academia.edu/BerthaChin> Board Member, Fan Studies Network (http://fanstudies.wordpress.com/)

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Collaborative European Research Conference 2013 (CERC) CfP
by Steffen Schilke 14 Jul '13

14 Jul '13

*Collaborative European Research Conference 2013 (CERC) * **** 17-18 October 2013**** ** ** *Multidisciplinary Research Conference***** **** The multidisciplinary Collaborative European Research Conference (CERC) is an annual event that was borne from a long standing research collaboration between Cork Institute of Technology, the University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, Plymouth University, and Gjøvik University. Postgraduate researchers from *all *third level academic institutions are welcome to make a conference submission and/or attend.**** While the aim of CERC is, as always, to provide a showcase for the early stage researcher, the overarching aim of CERC 2013 is to celebrate excellence in research by providing a showcase for researchers at all stages of their research journey. Given the multidisciplinary nature of the conference, organisers are interested in receiving contributions on a broad range of research themes including Life Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts.**** CERC 2013 welcomes poster only and full paper submissions. Submissions are subject to a peer review process and authors whose submissions are accepted for publication are expected to attend. Paper submissions will be ranked and the best 26 authors will be invited to present. Accepted papers not presented will be put forward for poster submission. All accepted papers will be published in digital proceedings with an ISSN number. Prizes for best poster, paper and presentation will be awarded at the closing ceremony on the evening of the 18th October.**** The registration fee includes all social events, the two day conference programme including refreshments, lunch, travel, and proceedings. A preliminary programme of conference and social events is available at the conference website. Please note that this is subject to change depending on final contributions. In addition to the CERC social calendar, attendees will be able to avail of events organised as part of Cork’s Rebel Week which include a range of music, culinary, and sporting events. For further information please refer to the website http://cerc.cit.ie**** ** ** *Conference Dates:***** 17th & 18th October**** * * *Host:***** Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)**** *Venue:***** National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI)**** *Keynote Speakers:***** Dr Kieran Drain, CEO Tyndall National Institute**** 2nd Keynote Speaker to be confirmed**** * * *Important CERC Deadlines and Notifications***** Poster and Paper Submissions Extended to: 26th July**** Presenter Notification Extended to: 26th August**** Camera ready papers: 9th September**** Registration Until: 1st October**** Paper submissions to: *http://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf+cerc2013** *** *Registration***** Registration Fee: €150**** Register at: http://www.amiando.com/CERC2013**** *Important Contact Details***** Email: cerc(a)cit.ie**** Website: http://cerc.cit.ie**** *Accommodation (Recommended)***** Gresham Metropole Hotel (Quote CERC2013)**** Phone: 353 (0)21 464 3700 Fax: 353 (0)21 450 6450**** Email: info(a)gresham-metropolehotel.com

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Via the Looking Glass: Live Demo of Google Glass & Oculus Rift in JVWR Workshop at ICIS 2013
by Tzafnat Shpak 14 Jul '13

14 Jul '13

** [image: JVWR workshop ICIS 2013 cover]<http://jvwresearch.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=de4fa2a435382cb1fa67cb…> SAVE THE DATE: Milan, Italy, 15 Dec. 2013 & 1st Call JVWR ICIS2013 Workshop Via the Looking Glass: Live Demo of Google Glass & Oculus Rift, and Reflection on 3D3C Worlds Part 1: Demos *30 Min Intro to Google Glass David Zakariaie, Google Glass Explorer. LA, CA USA* In this presentation David who is one of the explorers in the Google Glass Explorer program will give us an overview of the Glass itself and its ecosystem: • Components of Glass • GDK (Glass Development Kit) and Mirror Api’s • Special Considerations (Privacy, Battery Life, Radiation) • Core Capabilities • Sample Applications 30 Min. Intro to Oculus Rift Yesha Sivan, www.dryesha.com<http://jvwresearch.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=de4fa2a435382cb1fa67c…> • Components of Rift • SDK (Development Kit) • Special Considerations (TBD) • Core Capabilities • Sample Applications Part 2: Academic Seminar Invited sessions, based on JVWR issue CfP: 3D3C Virtual Worlds - Topical Lantern Review<http://jvwresearch.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=de4fa2a435382cb1fa67c…> *Call for posters and 5-min Lightning talks* If you wish to present a poster and/or a short 5-min Lightning talk about your work, let us know. The purpose of the Lightning talk is to get to know each other, and give light to budding research. Qualified proposals will also be invited to submit to 3D3C Book<http://jvwresearch.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=de4fa2a435382cb1fa67cb…>published by Springer *Dates for First Round:* 15-Aug-2013: Poster & Lightning talk submission. 23-Aug-2013: Decision to submitter. Send proposals to tzafnat.shpak(a)jvwresearch.org More Information: - We welcome you to join our Facebook page 'theJVWR<http://jvwresearch.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=de4fa2a435382cb1fa67cb…> ' - Follow us* @theJVWR<http://jvwresearch.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=de4fa2a435382cb1fa67c…> * on Twitter - Subscribe to our mailing list (on the top left of *JVWR homepage* at http://jvwresearch.org/<http://jvwresearch.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=de4fa2a435382cb1fa67cb…>). No spam guaranteed (max. one email per week.) *Note*: Subscribing to our mailing list is different from being a JVWR user. To become a JVWR user (editor, author, reviewer) please see REGISTER<http://jvwresearch.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=de4fa2a435382cb1fa67cb…>on the right-hand menu of the homepage. Looking forward to seeing you in Milan, Thankfully, *Yesha Sivan* Managing Editor, The Journal of Virtual Worlds Research Professor at the Management Information System Program, Tel Aviv Academic College Founder, Metaverse-Labs Ltd.<http://jvwresearch.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=de4fa2a435382cb1fa67cb…> [image: JVWR Milan workshop ICIS 2013 life demo]<http://jvwresearch.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=de4fa2a435382cb1fa67cb…> © 2013 Journal of Virtual Worlds Research All rights reserved.

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