Communication and community are two of the most important things humans have. In fact, our ability to engage with one another in conversation is the most significant thing that sets us apart from the rest of the animal world.
However, as technology has evolved, so have the ways we communicate. Most conversations we have these days are held over digital devices, and the days of letter writing are long behind us. Some of the tools we use to communicate are used by almost everyone across the globe, whereas others are a bit more niche. Let’s explore.
The gaming world has brought forth a myriad of new forms of communication. Many players of massive multiplayer online (MMO) games use headsets to talk to one another from all across the world. Similarly, a lot of the best online casinos offer countless virtual table games where opponents can go head-to-head without leaving their own home (source: E-Sports Insider). You also struggle to find any online game that doesn’t at least have a chat function or chat room.
Social media has also completely revolutionised how we communicate with one another. Most of the big-name social media platforms, like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, all have direct messaging functions where users can send messages to each other and be notified when they receive a message in turn.
Similarly, various platforms have emerged, SnapChat and Discord chief among them, that are designed to facilitate direct messaging. Snapchat even comes with a variety of filters, voice changers and games that users can send to each other to increase fun and engagement with the app.
Video calls are also making waves in both our casual and business lives. Modes of communication such as Apple FaceTime, WhatsApp Video Call and Snapchat Video Call have made it easier than ever before to catch up with loved ones in a way that feels much more personal than a simple phone call.
On the business side of things, multiple platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Skype, and Zoom have countless functions that allow individuals in the workplace to keep in touch with one another in a way that is simple yet highly effective at improving productivity and workflow.
Of course, phone calls and text messages still remain a popular way for people to communicate. However, texting had dropped significantly in popularity, instead replaced with direct messaging services, which tend to be free and run off WIFI or mobile data.
Another common mode of communication comes from the growth of video content on platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. These platforms give individuals a stage to express their message, whether it be informational, comedic, or just daily life, to a massive audience all at once.
These videos have even allowed another mode of communication to emerge across the internet. This is the communication that takes place in the comments section of various online posts and videos. Through these comment sections, people are able to come together under shared interests and express their views easily and quickly.
