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Social Media Research
Communication technology and theory: Research into the interpersonal and social interface

Summary: The symbolic interactionism of Erving Goffman provided a powerful and illuminating encyclopedia of what "happens" during face to face social encounters. He was particularly insightful in his analysis of the handling requirements of social occasions, most of which he described as various forms of talk. What then does online talk look like? How does it refer to face to face talk? How does it reshape it? What is left outside the frame of talk, and how well does talk function when embodied interaction is impossible?

Who's on the other end of the line?

When we communicate, we communicate with a specific somebody. We address ourselves to that person, or persons. Addressing can be explicitly stated, or implied. In either case, we can hardly imagine doing this without a face. And yet most technologies still require us to address each other without recourse to facial expression. The consequences are not only a matter of grace and politeness, or even of starting off on the right foot. Technologies can have disastrous results when addressing goes awry.

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