| dc.description.abstract | Communication developments obviously impact individuals and society as they allow increased communication and information sharing over a distance. Today many individuals carry cell phones on their person at almost all times, allowing them to contact others or be contacted from almost any location; likewise many people regularly use the internet and social media forums. Beyond just being new forms to communicate with others and get desired information, cell phones, internet and social media use is becoming ritualized by some users to the point that it has many consequences for individual users and society. All three communication developments have impacts and functions beyond their manifest functions, including several latent dysfunctions. Through the process of ritualization cell phone, internet and social media use has evolved for some users to the point that characteristics of Total Institutions and the McDonaldization of Society can be seen, while raising issues of dependency and distraction. These consequences come about not just due to regular use, but due to highly ritualized use of these communication developments; including using cell phones as a "link" to society, social filter, watch/clock, calendar, GPS, etc.; using internet for many reasons such as information gathering, online shopping or banking and using social media; and using social media to present one's self to the world, share information with others and look other people up. Cell phones allow users to be almost constantly connected to others or the internet through a media form, but the ritualistic use of a cell phone reaches its peak when users ritualize the use of a smartphone including internet and social media use. It is in this combination of all three communication forms in one device that people constantly carry around and ritualistically use for many reasons that a media total institution involving changes in interaction, possible media influence, distraction, dependency and McDonaldized communication can most clearly be seen. | |
