Modern Communication

Communication created the world that exists today. Communication is the exchange of ideas, feelings or messages through various mediums and it allows for expression between individuals or groups. Each idea is created within a sender meaning that there is inherent intent that accompanies it to a reciever who interprets the message based on their own knowledge and emotions. Communication has attributes that are verbal, audio and physical. With true communication there is always benefit to both sender and receiver. The benefit can be enlightenment, self discovery, knowledge, valuable information, emotional connection, or an infinite number of other things.

Mass Communication takes the intent of the sender to a new level, differing from person to person contact, in its removal of the ability of the reciever to respond to and tailor the message. Mass communication is managed before it is presented to ensure that it has the proper presentation to persuade and direct response. No mass piece of information is distributed without expected results. In mass communication their is a loss of personal thought and unique ideas in exchange for the ability to present popular information, or what the producer has decided should become popular information, in an organized, simple manner .

In "Myths for the Masses," Hardt writes "mass communication reduces distances between cultural producers and their audiences by producing encounters that fake a comfortable proximity between the consciousness of alienation and the experience of participation." A connected globe is a gift, and the more stories, events, conflicts and ideas that can be shared across cultures means a greater understanding of the world in which all people coexist. However, I think Hardt is correct in his thinking that the modern masses are confused between having knowledge and having information. Hearing a global news story does not subject you to understanding complex foreign issues. Hearing a global news story does not mean that you know the facts or that it is fair to form an opinion based on the simplified, one-sided argument presented. Hearing a global news story is not, in my opinion, true communication.

Hardt, Hanno. "Myths for the Masses". An Essay on Mass Communication. Oxford, England. Blackwell Publishing. 2004