NationStates Jolt Archive

The internet, though it often offers services for video conversations and audio conversations, is mostly text. As such, those who post on various forums are writing in text, and each time they are given time to think about what they are saying rather than speaking in real time. This is quite advantageous, especially when it comes to debates. But, does this affect one's ability to speak? More specifically, to put together words properly and come out with what you want to say clearly and effectively? I think it does, and here is why:

Five years ago, though I was somewhat of a computer user, I rarely went on the internet to post. I was quite the influencial debater in school. Five years later, after becoming someone who often posts on forums--such as Nationstates--I find it incredibly difficult sometimes to piece together sentences and phrase what I really want to say properly. It seems to get worse the more I continue to write on the internet. It's rather frustrating, really. Of course, it's quite possible that my internet usage and my ability to speak--or lack thereof--are completely unrelated, but it sure doesn't seem that way.

So, I ask: does the internet affect one's ability to speak?

I use internet terms IRL a lot, so it definatley has an affect.

I use internet terms IRL a lot, so it definatley has an affect.
I'm not one to do that, but then again, I've never used them. I've always been a stickler for writing properly whenever it comes to my posts.

well at least those who debate or on online forums are getting better reading skills...

Definitely not. If anything, i find that it has helped my ability of speak in a rational and coherent manner. I find that I am able to string together longer chains of thought and I'm able to use that to my advantage when talking to lesser skilled debators.

What you have to keep in mind that debating isn't about proving the absolute truth - it's about manipulating existing facts to fit your thesis. Thus, if you are able to extract multiple arguments from a single source, you are able to overwhelm your opponent with information. Additionally, if you are asked a question you feel you cannot answer adequately, guess what? You don't have to. Politicians do it all the time: you just have to talk about a topic that is only loosely related to their question for long enough that they forget their question. This is very useful for university interviews too:

"What is organic architecture?"
"Organic architecture is... blah blah, I feel that architecture is all about.... blah, in essence, the goal of an architect is not to.... blah, instead, he should focus on.... etc etc."

Notice that my reply to the actual question is completely inadequate, but by the time I've finished talking about all the rest of the stuff I made up on the spot, they'll have decided to move on to another topic.

"Does the internet affect one's ability to speak?"

No, but it sure has rendered me unable to use a pen or pencil effectively anymore. :p

Mostly, I would say that the Internet has helped me with that - with forming coherent arguments quickly and thinking on my feet.

There are two interrelated problems I have when speaking, though, that may be connected:

1. My thinking (and my typing) outpaces my speaking. I try to say too much, constantly thinking up new arguments and new approaches, and I end up confusing the person I am talking to and speaking far too quickly.

2. I get frustrated when I cannot say everything I want to, especially when I argue with other people. On the Internet that is never a problem.

Definitely not. If anything, i find that it has helped my ability of speak in a rational and coherent manner. I find that I am able to string together longer chains of thought and I'm able to use that to my advantage when talking to lesser skilled debators.

What you have to keep in mind that debating isn't about proving the absolute truth - it's about manipulating existing facts to fit your thesis. Thus, if you are able to extract multiple arguments from a single source, you are able to overwhelm your opponent with information. Additionally, if you are asked a question you feel you cannot answer adequately, guess what? You don't have to. Politicians do it all the time: you just have to talk about a topic that is only loosely related to their question for long enough that they forget their question. This is very useful for university interviews too:

"What is organic architecture?"
"Organic architecture is... blah blah, I feel that architecture is all about.... blah, in essence, the goal of an architect is not to.... blah, instead, he should focus on.... etc etc."

Notice that my reply to the actual question is completely inadequate, but by the time I've finished talking about all the rest of the stuff I made up on the spot, they'll have decided to move on to another topic.
Doesn't say much for "university interviewers," now does it? :D

"Does the internet affect one's ability to speak?"

No, but it sure has rendered me unable to use a pen or pencil effectively anymore. :p

Funny, but painfully true. I think it's so barbaric to write notes now :D

Mostly, I would say that the Internet has helped me with that - with forming coherent arguments quickly and thinking on my feet.

There are two interrelated problems I have when speaking, though, that may be connected:

1. My thinking (and my typing) outpaces my speaking. I try to say too much, constantly thinking up new arguments and new approaches, and I end up confusing the person I am talking to and speaking far too quickly.

2. I get frustrated when I cannot say everything I want to, especially when I argue with other people. On the Internet that is never a problem.
Aye. The same thing happens with me. I end up making myself look like a complete idiot. Right now I'm so tired I can barely put together a coherant sentence in speech, yet you can see here I'm still able to toss out a nice little ditty in text.

...

Err...nice little paragraph, I mean.

"Does the internet affect one's ability to speak?"

No, but it sure has rendered me unable to use a pen or pencil effectively anymore. :p
My handwriting, though English, looks like its written in Chinese XD.

My handwriting, though English, looks like its written in Chinese XD.
My handwriting was never good, but even I can barely make out what I write nowadays. This is especially annoying when I work on a bit of a story I'm working on with a notepad and want to type up what I wrote, as it can be difficult to tell exactly what I put down. ~_~

Funny, but painfully true. I think it's so barbaric to write notes now :D
LOL! Well, since some on here style me as a barbarian, perhaps I should try to regain my note-writing ability! :D

The rise of the internet has certainly affected the world of writing--some might claim for the worse, but I think for the better, because there's more of a need for it now, and as a child of the television era who is also a writer, I'm ecstatic to see the written word regaining some market share.

But I don't know that it affects spoken speech as much, unless you're spending so much time communicating online that you've stopped talking to people.

My handwriting, though English, looks like its written in Chinese XD.
lmao! Ditto! Mine was difficult to read at best, pre-Internet. Now it's totally indeciperhable! :D

The rise of the internet has certainly affected the world of writing--some might claim for the worse, but I think for the better, because there's more of a need for it now, and as a child of the television era who is also a writer, I'm ecstatic to see the written word regaining some market share.

But I don't know that it affects spoken speech as much, unless you're spending so much time communicating online that you've stopped talking to people.
Hardly. I've just been finding it harder to put together sentences in a coherant manner, and it's rather frustrating since I was once considered quite the orator.

And yes. The internet means a lot more reading, and a lot more access to information for all. Yes, there's bullshit, but one merely needs to use common sense.

I wouldn't think so...