Instant Messaging Online
Instant messaging online was largely popularized by AOL, and since then has filtered into numerous programs that provide IMingMSN Messenger, Skype, gchat and so on. IMing is convenient because well, its instant and its free. Its also easy to multitask while having an IM conversation. Whereas long pauses in a real-life or phone conversation can be awkward, it can be acceptable to leave someone hanging on instant messaging because youre really not in most cases. IM is also a great way to communicate discreetly since its not visible or heard by others (as long as you turn off the IM sounds).
Since its conception, instant messaging online has developed considerably. IMing is no longer restricted to just the computerpeople use IM on cell phones and other handheld devices as well. There are all sorts of features besides just chatting. You can send pictures and files over IM, and it even combines elements of real-life or phone conversation by allowing you to talk online or use video chat. Theres also a wide selection of cute and funky emoticons you can use to liven up your IM conversation. As the ability to convey more and more through instant messaging increases, it starts to resemble real-life communication. Yet somehow it doesnt seem like itll reach that level. And if it did, would it just be instant messaging online anymore?
You might wonder if the prevalence of instant messaging online is a positive development. Sometimes people in the same house or room IM each other as a joke, but you have to admit that theres something sad about that. Whatever happened to good old-fashioned in-person interaction? IM makes things more efficient, but increased convenience might not be necessarily better. The fact that you dont have to focus all of your attention on an IM conversation is useful, but it also means that youre less invested and youre decreasing the need to concentrate. And you can be sitting at your computer surrounded by company by having several IM chat boxes open and a video chat in progress. But if you think about it, youre sitting by yourself in your room, isolated from other people.
In the end, instant messaging online is a useful and widespread means of communicate that we probably cant and dont want to do without. It brings people closer than ever but ironically, what can bring us closer together can also bring us further apart. And it seems unlikely that the online world can replace the real world, but it might not be as unfeasible as you might think.
