Reaching Through Time and Space

We recently discussed reach as one of Baym’s Dimensions of Technologically Mediated Communication. Reach is a concept that dives into the question of how far does the communication technology allow me to communicate. For example, with mobile phones we can be anywhere and communicate across time and space. Baym discusses face-to-face communication in comparison to mediated interactions. Face-to-face communication has low reach, limiting how many individuals can be involved and how far messages can spread (Baym, 12). Whereas, mediated interactions like video chat and Facetime enable a wider reach. Communicative reach offers the possibility to make contact and is often heavily relied on for many members of society. Reach allows us to have knowledge of events, happenings and individuals that we don’t have direct experience of however, it can also potentially lower the sense of connection (Baym, 12). We are faced with a number of benefits of digital media as it becomes increasingly mobile including, making communication possible in places where it wasn’t before. However, we are also faced with it’s challenges because it intrudes into our face-to-face conversations and experiences. 

 I found reach to be an especially intriguing dimension because the capabilities of reach in relation mediated communication is a part of my everyday life. For 16 years I lived overseas in Dubai, leaving my close family including, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents here in Canada. The wide and possible reach of mediated communication has allowed me to stay in contact with them while living a separate life in another country. I moved back to Canada 4 years ago however, my parents still live in Dubai. I therefore rely on Skype and text messages in order to stay update to with them, share my life and what is going on here. Reach is very important to me and my family and without it we would have a number of challenges in terms of ease when communicating with one another. Although there sometimes is a lower sense of connection between us, we still have the opportunity to stay present in each other’s lives. 

Comments

  1. Madison KaiserOctober 16, 2018 at 7:44 PM

    I really enjoyed reading your post! You always hear how people like using social media and other mediums because of their ability to connect people near and far, but your experience made this even more real. I think it's great that you found a way to connect your life experiences to course content because it allows you to understand it at a deeper level and in a different way. Overall, you found a really effective way of showcasing the benefits digital media has to offer.

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  2. Monique GirodatOctober 17, 2018 at 5:50 AM

    Hey Rachel!

    I enjoyed reading your post in regards to the concept of reach and how it relates to you and your family. The example you provided is very unique to your life as you and your family rely heavily on this type of communication for daily interaction with one another. Although face-to-face interaction may provide a more rewarding experience for you and your parents for example, you are quite limited as Baym suggests while you are only deemed present for that one individual rather than spreading yourself amongst a variety of online networks to stay in touch with your family as a whole. This was a great example to shine light on as we often think of digital media as tainting or diminishing relationships through misinterpretations and so on. Your particular situation allows us to recognize the benefits of connecting with our real-life relationships through the realm of the Internet.

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  3. UnknownDecember 6, 2018 at 6:15 PM

    I agree, the knowledge I have acquired is now not limited to my public sphere or social circle. When I think of reach I think of the ways it has enabled me to get news from almost anywhere in the world. If it has been published digitally, I most likely have free access to it. It is weird to think that I can see what one person has written about their experience from a village in Switzerland–meaning I can feel connected to someone I may have never had the chance to feel connected with.

    I really enjoy your video-chat connection to Baym’s concept on the limits that reach has on face-to-face connection. Although there are physical and human sensory constraints, I find that it’s a sacrifice I am willing to take to feel at least some element of personal social interaction. Like your situation, I too need to contact family and friends that live elsewhere, and reach has been a vital component of keeping in communication and present in one another’s lives. Additionally, reach combines the ability to get delivered mass news communications and also share it with the people you are connecting with despite time and space.

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