Book SummaryBecause Internet, by Gretchen McCulloch

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Because Internet

The evolution of language and communication in the digital age.

In her book, Gretchen McCulloch explores the significant impact that the digital era, particularly the internet, has had on the development of the English language. In her work, she presents the concept that the often-ignored mode of casual writing has become increasingly important as a primary means of communication with the advent of digital interconnectivity. The rules governing this new style of writing are markedly different from those established in the era of print media.

The manner in which we communicate and the language we use are deeply influenced by virtual communities.

McCulloch suggests that the way language changes is greatly influenced by the interactions within online communities. The diversity and dynamism of these groups foster the development of fresh expressions, habits, and societal norms in language. Engagement with digital groups shapes the way people adapt and use their language to resonate with the common forms of communication within their internet circles.

Online social circles are experiencing the birth of novel linguistic styles and the evolution of communication conventions.

Gretchen McCulloch characterizes the online population as a form of community by referring to them as "Internet People." In this community, reflecting conventional societal structures, unique dialects have emerged, characterized by specialized terminology, employing shorthand forms, and methods to express emotions and intentions within written communication environments. She identifies five distinct cohorts of internet users, each distinguished by their own markers of online cultural norms and varying levels of adeptness in leveraging technology for communicative purposes rather than utilitarian functions: people who were early adopters of internet technology, those deeply enmeshed in the digital realm, a group that interacts with the internet sporadically, and the newest generations who have grown up during the internet era or came into it as it began to achieve global prominence.

People who began interacting with the digital realm during the times of Usenet and chat rooms often have a robust skill set in coding and other technical competencies. They established the foundation for conveying subtle feelings in digital conversations by using abbreviations like "LOL" and "BRB," crafting emoticons such as 🙂 and 😔, and employing uppercase letters to signify yelling. Full Internet People, who grew up with instant messaging and early social media like MySpace and LiveJournal, tend to be less technically adept but more socially savvy, and adopted much of the Old Internet's communication styles by immersion, without needing explicit instructions. The development of these conventions has resulted in subtle shifts in understanding; the first cohort recognizes "lol" as shorthand for "laughing out loud," whereas those who are thoroughly immersed in online culture often employ "lol" in lowercase to convey a general sense of amusement. People who first explored the digital realm for work-related purposes and gradually established a social footprint online often interpret the distinctive language of the internet literally, rather than perceiving it as a reflection of vocal emphasis. Individuals who have matured in an era where social media is omnipresent continue to develop fresh subtleties by embracing a simplified style that involves crafting new ways to convey sarcasm or passive aggression through creative ellipsis placement, as well as adopting a more restrained use of punctuation and capitalization. Individuals who reached adulthood prior to the internet becoming ubiquitous and were hesitant to embrace it until it was inescapable often revert to the casual writing standards they learned from older forms of correspondence, employing different types of dashes or ellipses to indicate breaks in thought.

Other Perspectives

• Characterizing online users as "Internet People" could inadvertently create an "us versus them" dynamic between those who are highly active online and those who are not, which may not be a constructive way to view the integration of technology into society.
• The specialized terminology and shorthand forms used in online communities are not always unique to those communities; many terms and abbreviations have entered mainstream language and are understood by a wide audience, not just internet users.
• The categorization into five distinct cohorts may oversimplify the diversity of internet users, as individuals within each group can exhibit a wide range of behaviors and preferences that don't necessarily align with the general characteristics assigned to their cohort.
• Technical competencies are not static and require continuous learning and adaptation; early adopters may have had a robust skill set for the technology of their time, but this does not guarantee that they have maintained or updated their skills to keep pace with the rapid evolution of technology.
• The creation and adoption of emoticons can also be attributed to the limitations of expressing emotions through text, a challenge that was not unique to early internet users but also to anyone using text-based communication, suggesting that the development of such conventions was a broader linguistic evolution rather than the invention of a specific group.
• The term "socially savvy" could be subjective, as what is considered savvy in one online community might not translate to another; thus, social skills online are not one-size-fits-all.
• The evolution of "lol" might not necessarily represent a subtle shift in understanding but rather a broadening of its usage to include a range of emotional expressions, which could be seen as a natural progression of language rather than a novel development.
• The assumption that work-related internet users interpret language literally overlooks the diversity within this group,...

Because Internet Summary New methods for expressing significance and stress have emerged within digital environments.

The book by Gretchen McCulloch encourages a new examination of previously unchallenged aspects of language and communication, now reshaped by the emergence of online communication tools and the internet. As we transition more towards text-based interaction, we're increasingly recognizing the subtle emotional and physical cues in conversations that we previously overlooked due to their absence.

Digital communication has expanded to encompass elements that engage our sight and offer numerous ways to express ourselves, including the use of emoticons and short, looping videos.

McCulloch suggests that as we incorporate more visual elements like emoticons and short video clips into our conversations, it reflects a natural human tendency to enhance our written communication with elements typical of in-person interactions, conveying emotions and intentions with cues that are usually nonverbal and found in verbal exchanges.

Emojis act as a virtual substitute for the nonverbal cues and gestures we exhibit.

In her investigation, McCulloch examines the role of emoji as modern tools for expressing nonverbal cues in conversation. She explains how certain emojis have become...

Because Internet Summary The manner in which we communicate has undergone substantial transformations in the digital era, carrying with it profound social and cultural implications.

McCulloch explores the profound changes in language as it shifts from a traditional written form to an evolving digital landscape, scrutinizing how digital communication has revolutionized not only our textual conversations but also the nature of our social connections, community dynamics, cultural movements, and self-identity.

Memes found online significantly influence and spread culture by encouraging active participation and sharing.

McCulloch suggests that the essence of cultural engagement and collective effort is best exemplified by memes, elements of online culture known for their swift evolution and remarkable adaptability.

Memes play a significant role in collectively molding and defining cultural identities.

Internet memes have transformed into distinctive emblems that signify cultural belonging, serving not only as instruments for communication but also as indicators of inclusion in a group. Understanding the significance of a meme may reveal an individual's connection to a particular group or subculture. She cites research indicating that videos featuring deliberate imperfections, like glitches or unpolished editing, are more often circulated and...