I wonder if there’s a corrolation between Clay’s gut and the values of teenagers. I knew Usenet was dead when teens stopped knowing what it was. Same with IRC. Don’t get me wrong: all of us geeky social software folks still use both. (And Marc Smith still believes that we can make Usenet work.)
Teens are focused less and less on email. It no longer provides an identity marker in the way it used to. Even at universities, students are more likely to use their easily accessible hotmail account than the university account. This also means that they are forced to constantly fight the annoyances of spam.
The value of email is no longer there. Instead, youth rely heavily on IM (and SMS where available). Parents don’t get to read the records of these conversations and if spam is a problem, you can just block everyone but your friends. Plus, now that you can send IMs without having to be logged in (it’ll just get queued), why worry about synchronicity?
I’ve always been a big believer in paying attention to teens in order to understand the longterm viability of older technologies. But maybe Clay’s gut will be just as effective…
http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/archives/002294.html
The collapse of email: Quote: “I knew Usenet was dead when teens stopped knowing what it was…Teens are focused less
Many to Many Gripes on Skype
Danah asks “What is it about Skype that motivates you?” I’ve posted 10 points where I think Skype may redefine some behaviors. From changes in mindset to intimacy and gossip. It’ is not a substantiated case, and yet I don’t see its impact bing limit…
I think e-mail and IM are two differen things. I think students are using IM and SMS more because of ease of use. And sloppy typing and writing that they think are COOL. Never could understand this word being used in this context.
IM is talking. E-mail is writing. SMS is good for silent messages. They all have their uses.
I don’t think this world eventually is going to erase all traces of coversations, thoughts etc. I personally keep IM conversations (cut and paste those worth keeping) and e-mail messages (important stuff). I am sure eventually folks would realize that there are IM conversations that are worth keeping.
Remember Post cards? We used to send them, then e-mailling and calling on the phone become dirt cheap alternatives. Nobody wants to send card or letter any longer. Guess what? Now we have digital post card that we can send instantly, or take a photo and ‘shoot’ it thousands of miles away to your family. Only different is, it does not come with those beautiful stamps! But wait ! There is this new idea of buying ‘personalized stamps’with your favourite pictures or yourself starring! Will that promote sending letters and postcards again remain to be seen.
Would like to write more, but since e-mail and blog and IM came into my life, I am finding myself having less and less time to spend with frinds, or even step outside of the house. I am seriously thinking that internet and PC and anything electronic is bad for my health. And definately not good for time management.
Cindy