Audio and Video conferencing

I think audio and video conferencing is an interesting topic in communication these days. It seems like we are finally getting it right. The accessibility of high-speed internet and webcams coupled with free software like Skype and Facebook video chat are making things a lot easier. Also of course there is FaceTime with Apple's iPhone, which is like a direct acknowledgment that sometimes just hearing a voice is not enough. In group comm, these factors are very important because when dealing with multiple people, especially strangers, responses are important and feedback, even if very minimal, can help or hinder a speaker. The book discusses video delays and audio clipping which can hurt the speaker but also limit and muffle feedback, which can cause the speaker to think he is not going over well. These are some of the downsides of group comm over CMC, especially in audio/video format.

On the plus side of course is that audio and video conferencing is the closest thing we have to F2F comm, and it is the most promising in terms of expanding the reach of who we communicate with. If a team of doctors can be formed using video conferencing and it can include bright minds from all corners of the globe, we are more likely to make advancements in medical technology and cure diseases than we would if we had to communicate via text only, or had to stick with physical F2F comm.