Module 2 Concept: 17: The impact of text-based real-time chat

Communicating in real-time with text enables a form of 'authoring of the self' that is similar to the processes of face-to-face speech but which is much more amenable to authorial control, experimentation and reflection. Further, text-based communication carries with it the possibility for multiple, differing conversations occurring simultaneously, relying on the ability of the human brain to deal with text much better than speech.

This concept looks at communicating with text and the advantages that it can bring. It speaks about having control in the communication process and having a record of the communication to reflect upon at a later time.

This concept also addresses the advantage of having the freedom to engage in several conversations at once without appearing rude to the other participants involved. It also recognises other forms of communication are also effective eg. phone text and video phones, face to face communication, but that in the right circumstances, real time text has many advantages as an effective way to communicate.