On the internet, computer-mediated conversation lack body language, voice intona

Question

On the internet, computer-mediated conversation lack body language, voice intonation, and other important nonverbal elements. Without these features, people are compelled to fill in the gaps with assumptions about the nonverbal elements. Read the following paragraph:

For some reason, people become much more sensitive when they’re online, and they tend to blow things entirely out of proportion—for example, taking a couple of sentences originally meant to be humorous or sarcastic entirely the wrong way. It’s even worse if you’ve had a bad day and you’ve decided that “no one likes you” (we’ve all had those moments); you’re much more susceptible to misunderstanding messages. Once that happens, everything can go downhill quickly. Instead of asking for clarification (“You were kidding, weren’t you?”) or just ignoring it, many people—forgetting that they’re dealing with another human being on the other end—decide to defend themselves and tell the originator of the offending message exactly what they think of him or her. This outcome is what’s known in the business as a flame. If both sides begin insulting each other, it’s called a flame war (kind of like fighting fire with fire). These digital battles often erupt in “public” and can sometimes be very entertaining to the lurkers.”

Explanation / Answer

When any two persons are communicating with each other they not only focus on what is said, rather they are also concerned and interpret the way something is said. At times, we say something jokingly to our friend and the friend understands the pun in what is said. Thus, the verbal as well as the nonverbal communication matters when two people are conversing. There are times when a fleeting micro expression of nothing ulterior intended accompanies a verbal communication. This is understood by the other person and he/she does understand that in face to face interactions. This is something which is missing in virtual interactions. We as human beings have a tendency to exaggerate the negative aspects of anything, so if I am angry with one of my colleagues and I receive a mail where the other person is asking me for help, I have the tendency to take it otherwise. This situation may be controlled when the person is in front of me and I seek clarifications, but in the absence of face to face interaction this may flare and I may call for a war with my colleague.

The flame wars may be curtailed if the two conversing partners seek clarification and are vigilant enough not to engage in such acts. This requires that all the stakeholders are aware of the fact that such wars may deteriorate their relationship and it is the duty of all to avoid such misunderstandings.

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