The article “Social Psychological Aspects of Computer-Mediated Communication” by Kiesler et al. identifies issues in CMC, discusses methodology for investigating certain psychological effects of technology and speculates how CMC might affect how individuals communicate and the way we communicate as a society. The article was published in 1984. This was the year that Apple released the Macintosh – the first computer where users interacted with the computer using a graphical user interface instead of DOS commands. The age of the article clearly shows (for instance, the authors attempting to justify studying the “implication of the social features of computing, not just its technical characteristics” – a justification that would not be necessary today); however, it is still interesting and useful.

One of the more significant issues identified in the article is the lack of “formal or informal instruction in an etiquette of electronic communication.” It is interesting to examine whether or not this is true in the modern era. Professional communications over email, Zoom, Slack, etc. often have strict, formal etiquette. Informal texting between friends can also have a strict etiquette depending on their age and cultural background. However, it is apparent that people still see electronic communication as more informal than in-person communication. People often say online what they might not say in-person. Instances of cyberbullying and online harassment are examples of this. This is currently a big area of debate in video game development since “flaming” (as it is called in the article) is especially prevalent in those online competitive spaces. Users might feel empowered by the anonymity granted by the video game and behave in a way they usually would not.

Other predictions from the article proved true over time. For example, their prediction that “the instantaneous information exchange provided by electronic mail, for example, might allow people to work without regard for their geographic dispersion, their schedules, time zones, access to secretaries, and energy costs” is entirely true. Though, it is clear to us now that the introduction of easily accessible and reliable video conferencing created the largest shift in how we work, not necessarily email itself.

It would be interesting to see the same study conducted in this article in 1984 conducted today. Specifically, I wonder whether or not computer-mediated groups still take longer to reach a single consensus, especially considering that computers are more user-friendly, and users more computer literate. From my own experience, trying to reach a consensus over email, Slack, or text often takes much longer than in a face-to-face meeting, even when everyone is online.