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The Effects of Mobile Phones Texting and Auto Correction
The Effects of Mobile Phones’ Texting and Auto Correction
Instructor:
ENG 108
Date of Submission
The Effects of Mobile Phones’ Texting and Auto Correction
It cannot be disputed that humanity has faced numerous developments in terms of technology and scientific advancement. Notably, these innovations cut across several spheres. Since the invention of the telephone, telecommunication has been on an ever changing trend and making communication easier for mankind. The invention of the mobile phone has had a huge impact on our language and literacy practices. The various modes of expression and the means of gaining new knowledge have had a huge impact on human communication. Most of all, the impact of the short message service (SMS) has been marvelous and has had far reaching impacts (Ekine, 2010). SMS is a text messaging service available to all mobile phone users. SMS is very popular and it has 3.5 billion active users which translates to 80% of all mobile phone subscribers as of the year 2010 (Ekine, 2010). Its advantage is that it allows the sending of short messages as an alternative way of conveying information as a substitute to placing a direct call.
Modern day cell phones have features that enhance SMS usability and suit the convenience of the user. In our case, the use of text messaging has been revamped from the basic service offered in 1982 at its conception (Ekine, 2010). This has seen transformations ranging from the simple use of 160 characters on a single page to the use of software applications that assist the user to better compose text messages. Capabilities like automatic letter capitalization, spelling correction, word suggestion, punctuation and language translation are all features of modern day cell phone SMS popularly called auto correction (Mobile Reference, 2007). This technological aid to the “written word” has brought with it various challenges to grapple with, especially its effects on language use and literacy practices. Also, the limitation in the number of characters used per page has encouraged the development of a specific language that applies to the text messaging platform. As a result the use of acronyms, short forms and abbreviations have generally replaced conventional words and sentence structure as we knew it (Carr, 2008).
Text messaging as a form of communication has been credited with many advantages but one is paramount, ease of use. Short messaging service is uncomplicated and therefore popularly used by the young and the old. It is fast too. An individual can quickly compose a message on his mobile phone while walking, driving or talking and not compromise his or her concentration to a high degree. The swiftness and rapidity in which one composes a text message has led to the development of specific languages and phrases used on the platform. Emoticons and smileys have gained in popularity and contribute in it being termed as “fun” and very interactive (Connelly, 2012). The creation of a new language suited to the specific conditions available to users on the text messaging platform has further created an interest in groups previously disinterested. The use of short forms and no real emphasis on grammatical and conventional language use has made it a good platform for people to communicate irrespective of educational and literacy levels. Auto correction as a feature has revolutionised the text messaging world, in that an individual doesn’t have to be too keen when composing a text message as the cell phone’s messaging application automatically gives suggestions and pre-empts what the typist is to insert as the next word (Connelly, 2012). Yet on the other hand, occasional autocorrection mistakes can cause mayhem and create problems. An example of this is the case of an autocorrection mistake created a belief that a gunman was on the loose and led to the closure of two schools (The Daily Telegraph, 2012).
The above reasons are often cited by teens and adults alike in their attempt to support the excessive use and abuse of the SMS technology. But as much as they seem appealing to the reader and user of a mobile phone, they come with a number of shortcomings that must be highlighted and addressed both at a societal level and education level. The text savvy in the society have invented commonly used abbreviations in texting: 411- all the information, OMG – oh my God, LOL – laugh out loud among others. Others are more cryptic and age specific such that it is difficult to decode an SMS just by reading at it passively. This is just one side of a coin that doesn’t tell the whole story. As the specific segmentation and control of knowledge through abbreviations, short forms and acronyms helps in privacy but heavily impairs the written and spoken language.
The ease of use of text messages carries with it a reduction in keenness because of its informal nature. In this light, text messaging tends to affect ones critical thinking ability in the long term. The effect on formal communication and the learning process as a whole are far reaching. As an 11th grade teacher, Mrs. Rikard, commented on her students writing that:
“They slip into the informal voice often, and that’s really a tightrope because you want them to find their own voice…, I have realized they very often write the way the way they speak and they speak the way they text” (Singleton-Rickman, 2009).
The use of numbers instead of words and inappropriate use of letters points to the increasing effects of text messaging; especially if done at early ages. The decline in writing skills witnessed in schools all over the world can be linked to excessive texting on the part of the students. Also, the lack of cursive writing ability and its subsequent decline is attributed to the same (Singleton-Rickman, 2009). The harm that is brought to the written word affects the communication process by imposing an informal way of passing information that is slowly but surely threatening the formal writing process and impairing learning at the basic level. Auto correction as a feature on mobile phones is responsible for the current state of language abuse as it removes the writer from the need to properly master any language proficiently. It is a tool that impairs the human thought process by spoon feeding information to the user, of which he or she may not be innately aware of. This may lead to poor usage of words, phrases and even sentence construction. The use of textisms as a new language also creates pressure on the conventional languages and brands them among different groups as archaic and irrelevant making their learning more difficult. This is in spite of the fact that most people acknowledge the strict difference between formal and informal writing. Finally, the text etiquette used when chatting, the list of chat acronyms and abbreviations are forever changing and keeping up with it is also tedious. Plus the impersonal nature of the digital world is slowly creeping into daily human interactions as a result of the metamorphosis of text messaging and all its online forms (Carr, 2008).
In conclusion, courtesy of the omnipresence of the digital text on cell phones and on the internet coupled with the popularity of the cell phone a lot informal communication is taking place. Unfortunately with this new technology development a different kind of thinking and sense of self accompanied it in which “we are not only what we read but we are how we read” (Carr, 2008). The use of cell phones to send text messages provides an avenue that encourages efficiency and immediacy as the object of communication, reducing our deeper reading abilities and making us “mere decoders of information” via use of acronym and abbreviations. “our ability to interpret text, to make and to manipulate information mentally, with various connections that come when an individual is not distracted while reading become separated and distorted in various ways” (Carr, 2008). The SMS is a very important technological advancement and its uses are innumerable but its long term effects on our language and literacy practices are far reaching. Over time the new language and use of symbols as a substitute to formal writing and means of communication could be detrimental. As a result, all our educational and technological use in this digital age needs to be carefully integrated with our formal communication to reduce the negative impact by encouraging a healthy use of the written form of communication.
References
Carr, N. (2008, July 1). Is Google Making Us Stupid? What the Internet is doing to our brains. The Atlantic. Retrieved December 3, 2013, from: HYPERLINK “http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/306868/” http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/306868/
Connelly, C. (2012). 13 cool things your iPhone can do you don’t know about. Retrieved December 3, 2013, from: HYPERLINK “http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/things-your-iphone-can-do-you-dont-know-about/story-e6freuy9-1226386268175” http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/things-your-iphone-can-do-you-dont-know-about/story-e6freuy9-1226386268175
Ekine, S. (2010). SMS uprising: Mobile phone activism in Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Pambazuka Press.
Mobile Reference (2007). SMS Language Quick Reference: Glossary, Abbreviations, Emoticon Art, Technical Details, and more. Boston: MobileReference.com.
Singleton-Rickman, L. (2009, July 15). Does texting hurt writing skills? TimesDaily. Retrieved December 4, 2013, from: HYPERLINK “http://www.timesdaily.com/archives/article_81445a80-781d-5f82-b7ac-00f951cf10bc.html” http://www.timesdaily.com/archives/article_81445a80-781d-5f82-b7ac-00f951cf10bc.html
The Daily Telegraph (2012). iPhone autocorrect error shuts two schools. Retrieved December 3, 2013, from: HYPERLINK “http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/weird/iphone-autocorrect-error-shuts-two-schools/story-e6frev20-” http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/weird/iphone-autocorrect-error-shuts-two-schools/story-e6frev20-
Political Science- War
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War and Peace
Going to war is a common occurrence to human life, and has, therefore, existed both in history and in the modern days. Most political analysts believe that people prefer to engage in war, as compared to the better option of peace building (Brubaker & Cooper, 2000. 12). They argue that the need for control is part of human nature, thus the reasons for war. It is through conquests of war that power is obtained, and this is at the expense of the citizens of the nations engaging in this act. Accordingly, many countries especially those in the Middle East have often engaged in warfare, without the consideration of acquiring peace.
Evidently, those in authority, as well as, the citizens of the nation have the option of search for peace but notably, this has not taken place. However, some nations at war do engage in peace negotiations but without progress. This, therefore, suggests that nations often opt for war, as opposed to, making peace (Brubaker & Cooper, 2000. 18). The concept of war has been the center of plenty of debates in both in academic and social circles. Whereas some believe that war is immoral and should therefore not be practiced, others argue that war is justified. Political scientists and philosophers have sequentially taken up to the discovery of this phenomenon, and have developed various theories regarding why nations prefer going to war, as opposed to, attaining peace.
This paper provides an analysis of the statement “bother not building peace; instead, prepare for war”. Specifically, the paper examines how the feminist and constructivist perspective responds to the statement above, as well as, the contention that peace is purely a brief intermission between wars.
Constructivist and Feminist Perspectives
Constructivist and feminists have different views concerning the concepts of war and peace war and peace. The constructivist view argues for security in relation to war, whereas the feminist view utilizes the woman’s experience in the war. As previously mentioned, the constructivist perception argues for the importance of maintaining national security (Frances, Bartowki. & Kolmar, 2005. 36). According to this perspective, security is a vital matter for humanity, which compels nations to engage in war rather than seek peace. In their argument regarding war and peace, constructivists claim that authorities are charged with the responsibility of ensuring national security, which in turn rationalizes the choice for war. Nations who engage in warfare use this theory to defend their decision to go to war, and they claim that they are fulfilling their duties to their respective nations. With this perspective, nations believe that when attacked by another country, they should retaliate as a way of ensuring safety and security for their citizens. The military through the orders of the president plays a role in waging war. Thus, every chance that these nations obtain, they will not hesitate to engage in bloodshed (Katzenstein, 1996. 69).
Often civilians, who are innocent, are the ones who lose their lives. The military will for a short period, enhance peace and latter, they will engage in the war they were trying to prevent. This is extremely ironic, taking into account that they are the ones meant to maintain peace and at the same time fight during war. However, the constructivism perspective does not consider power and gender as essential parts in international relations; something that the feminist perspective believes in.
The feminist theory, on the other hand, considers the role and contribution of women in matters such as war and peace. According to this perspective, the gender roles of women are often ignored. Women are only mentioned for their roles, which are domestic (Schlee, 2004, 150). The world is believed to be extremely socially constructed. In turn, it has influenced the manner, which peace and war is viewed. Women are seen as being key contributors to the society, and for that reason, their lives need to be protected at all times. The feminist theory argues for the protection of the female population, which has in turn affected how war has been viewed. In essence, the feminist theory gives a lot of emphasis on the female population, which has prompted the need for the protection of this gender.
In relation to war, the feminist theory argues that as long as war harms the female population, then it is an act that should not be taken up by nations. However, nations that are at warfare have used this theory to defend their acts of warfare in that they argue that they engage in war for the protection of the female population. In most cases, nations that engage in warfare avoid harming the female population, thus illustrating their consideration of the concepts presented by the feminist perspective. Their argument is that they engage in warfare so as to protect their own female population, and for that reason will retaliate to the harm of their female population. They also believe that because they do not attack the female population in their enemy countries, then their warfare is wholly justified. Accordingly, three feminist concepts have been considered in relation to this including analytical feminism, empirical feminism and normative feminism. All of this have been used to define the women’s role in society, thus the need to protect the female population. Based on this perspectives, it is, therefore, clear why the nations at warfare would easily choose war over peace, thus making tha attainment of peace a hard objective.
Evidently, both theories presented above argue for the maintenance of peace, however these theories have been modified in such a way that they are used for the defense of war. Using the constructivist theory, nations argue that war is essential for national security, which sequentially makes it impossible for the attainment of peace. Relevantly, with the feminist perspectives nations argue that war supports the protection of the female population, and for that reason, the achievement of peace becomes near impossible. In conclusion, it is extremely clear that war is an occurrence, which is taking place regularly. The chance of a solution being found to get rid of wars does not seem likely. Peace is a concept, which needs to be known by everyone. The impact of war is expressed in various mediums especially in the news. Death, Injury, lose of homes and livelihoods, are some of the effects of war (Kalyvas, 2003.488). More efforts should be put to ensure that peace is enhanced, in turn; the world will be extremely safe. The different sociological perspectives, which exist, explain a great deal concerning peace and war. Thus, it is not correct to claim that war should occur, instead of finding a solution to obtaining peace.
Work Cited
Schlee, Günther. “Taking Sides and Constructing Identities: Reflections on Conflict Theory”,
Royal Anthropological Institute, 10, (2004):pp. 135-156.
Brubaker, Rogers, & Cooper, Frederick. ‘Beyond Identity’, Theory and Society, vol. 29, (2000):
pp. 1-47.
Katzenstein, Peter. (ed.) The Culture of National Security: Norms and Identity in World Politics,
New York, Columbia University Press, 1996.Print.
Kalyvas, Stathis. ‘The Ontology of “Political Violence”: Action and Identity in Civil Wars’,
Perspectives on Politics vol. 1, no. 3, (2003): pp. 475-94.
McFarlane, Alan. The Savage Wars of Peace: England, Japan and the Malthusian Trap, New
York: Blackwell, 2003.Print.
Frances, Bartowki. & Kolmar, Wendy. Lexicon of Debates”. Feminist Theory: New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2005.Print.
Political Science Canadas Decentralized Federal System
Political Science: Canada’s Decentralized Federal System
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Introduction
Canada has long been criticized for its federal system of government, as well as, some of the policies that the state embraces in relation to politics and political. Evidently, Canada has embraced regionalism as part of its political system, which has in turn encouraged sovereignty of provinces (Bickerton, 2009). Accordingly, Canada’s political authority is divided into two distinct jurisdictions including the federal government and the provincial governments. As Dyck explains in his book, Canadian Politics: Critical Approaches, Canada consists of ten provinces including Quebec, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island (Dyck, 2011). Each of these provinces has been granted individual, political authority, and they are allowed to formulate and implement laws that are specific to the individual provinces. In essence, provincial authority is seen as a way of facilitating growth and development from a provincial level, which in turn promotes national growth and development.
This paper examines Canada’s decentralized federal system. The paper explains why the decentralized federal system in Canada is beneficial to the state.
Benefits of Canada’s Decentralized Federal System
As previously mentioned, Canada’s decentralized federal system favors the endowment of power to provinces because of the impact of this power allocation on the state as a whole. Powerful provinces are considered a way of facilitating national growth and development as they allow more control over resources on the provincial level. This concept is illustrated by French Canada and Quebec, as they have both demonstrated the ability to utilize provincial power for their own benefit (Dyck, 2011). Researchers have identified provincial power and authority as beneficial to the state for various reasons. At the outset, provincial power allows each province, as well as, citizens in each of the provinces to preserve and fortify their distinct nature and capacities. For example, Canadian western provinces are granted the power to control their energy reserves, whereas their counterparts in central Canada gain control over all manufacturing activities (Dyck, 2011). In addition to strengthening provincial capabilities, a decentralized federal system also assures that state of a continued economic empowerment across all provinces. This is because provincial power allows the different provinces to empower themselves economically, hence economic growth. Because not all provinces have the ability to sanction themselves economically, others will be left behind and for that reason, may be poorer than their counterparts.
A decentralized federal government allows the sharing of resources between richer and poorer provinces. This, in turn, allows all provinces to enjoy similar resources such as education, and healthcare hence, allowing the provinces to grow at a comparable pace. Regionalism demands that economically empowered provinces pay taxes that will be sequentially used to assist the poorer provinces in their economic development (Wiseman, 2007). By doing this, Canada, as a state, enjoys the benefits of growth and development as this is assured from the provincial or regional level. The decentralized federal system in Canada has particularly been a positive influence on Quebecers and French Canadians because it has allowed these people to enjoy growth and vitality (Keddy, 2006). Conclusively, Canada’s decentralized federal system allows the federal government to represent the state at the world stage both on the provincial level, as well as, the national level. Through decentralization, the needs of every province are identified and attended to accordingly (Davie, 2007).
References
Bickerton, J. (2009). Canadian Politics. USA: University of Toronto Press.
Davie, M. B. (2007). Canada Decentralized: Can our nation Survive? Retrieved from:
http://www.manor-house.biz/books/canadadec.htm
Dyck, R. (2011). Canadian Politics: Critical Approaches. United Kingdom: Cengage Learning.
Keddy, G. (2006). Gerald Keddy: Speech on the qualities of the decentralized Canadian federal
system that allows Quebecers to flourish. Retrieved from: http://www.geraldkeddy.ca/?section_id=4734§ion_copy_id=49993
Wiseman, N. (2007). In Search of Canadian Political Culture. USA: British Columbia Press.