Communications in Virtual Worlds

This is the first couple paragraphs of a paper I wrote about the significance of communication in virtual forms.  Take a look, and enjoy!

            Technology is such a significant part of our lives that in many ways it has taken over the way in which people communicate with one another.  Individuals can work from home using their computers and phones to excel in jobs that a few years ago required a destination office building.  The use of email can allow us to send messages globally within seconds.  Social networks and blogs allow for people to communicate their feelings to other people without the need of any face time.  And video games within the online world can permit individuals from all across the world to communicate with one another and share personal information all the while playing a game.  With the many advancements of technology in our society virtual environments can encourage communication among different cultures as well as contribute to the breakdown of stereotypes among diverse ethnicities.  Presenting exemplarily communication skills is no longer referring solely to face-to-face communication as technology has changed the way in which communicating can be effective. 

            A huge reason that there is a breakdown in communication among different backgrounds in that there is a lack of knowledge from culture to culture. The lack of knowledge affects ones outlook about other ethnicities.  “With a belief that peace is not the absence of conflict but one's attitude toward it” (Fouts & King, 2009).  With preconceived, negative attitudes about a culture, the possibility of then understanding them diminishes greatly.  The way in which individuals portray things that are different from them is often pessimistic because of the fear of the unknown.  What virtual worlds can do is promote dialogue and communication among people of different cultures all the while sitting in the comfort of their own home.  In an online gaming setting the purpose is not to learn about other cultures, but is instead intended for mindless fun for all those that are involved.  However, maybe this is exactly the kind of environment we need to take the pressure off of learning about another culture and instead let it happen naturally.  There is a chance that we would all be surprised by the realizations and inadvertent awareness that would come from virtual situations.