The Art of Chat

A friend with whom I have had many face-to-face conversations over the years recently asked me about online jargon and instant communication methods so commonly used today. Though I have been thinking of it for sometime, this particular inquiry brought the topic of modern communication to the forefront of my mind. There are dozens of people that I communicate with everyday that, for one reason or another, stand out as having great online skills. They not only know how to access things with ease, they also possess a highly valuable skill in conversation that I admiringly call, 'the art of chat'.

For those of you still familiarizing yourself with life online, 'chat' is a live conversation you type while online. It is commonly called 'instant messaging' ('IM'), 'room chat', 'group chat' or 'personal message'.  Unlike 'surfing the Net', where you simply go page to page, read content and fill out blank forms with hopes of a response, 'chat' usually results in a (an immediate) response from another person where you can conduct a type-written conversation.  The exchange of information through 'chat' is instant and to the point. Keeping track of WHICH window to type in takes some getting used to, especially when you have several windows open at once. My inquiring friend was uncertain if the private chat from Facebook could be read by everyone. It's a valid question for newcomers to social media. "No", I explained, "You can see who, of your friends, is online. When someone is online, you can click their name and a new private chat line with that person opens on your screen. You type words and hit 'enter' to instantly send it to them, and they can do the same to you. Chat is the equivalent of email in real time. It is a conversation between just you and that particular person." I think my friend understood. Chat takes skill, to some degree.

The term 'chat' may intimidate novice online users. "Who are you chatting WITH?” most want to know, suspicious of nare-do-welling, I suppose. Well, the answer to that is, 'Whomever!’ I have several contacts exclusive to my life online. I admit, that has to do with writing an Internet business book, but I maintain several friendships online, too. Facebook has been especially good with dredging up old friendships. Second Life has helped me form many new friendships. I really like knowing that I can instantly drop anyone a message or a link to something of interest at almost any time. Type-chat conversations are rich with humor, emotions and quick exchange of information.

With risk of overwhelming a majority of you just getting comfortable with 'chat', let me explain that it is possible, and quite common, to have multiple, independent, simultaneous conversations on various topics with one person at a time, or with an entire group. Discussions can go on for mere seconds or over a lifetime. Once you begin to master using the 'chat' function, you will understand this online tool much better. For instance, you may have a conversation with a potential client happening in one window, keeping things on your utmost professional level, while a good-time friend tries to persuade you out on the town. A group that you belong to may post a message about an event, allowing immediate group response. Whenever we have an event or announcement at Molaskey's Pub, our messages reach about a thousand people or more. We use a certain tone and language when posting official pub messages, but when we tap into the Molaskey's Pub group chat, the language is noticeably different because it's a LIVE conversation with several hundred people online at the same time! Chat appears on screen the moment it is sent. No one is required to respond, but those who want to chime in, do. Chat communication is like nothing humanity or society have experienced ever before. In fact, we are at the dawn of a new era of interactive, social media. It's not too late to develop your online language by any means.

Voice and body language has long been the root of human communication, but these days, we 'type-chat', too. Type chat has successfully communicated information, emotions, humor, drama, and entertainment using regional dialect and popular slang since the introduction of the Internet in 1989. I personally started communicating through chat on the Internet in 2006, when I took up Second Life®. Instant messaging and 'room chat' fascinated me. I learned to use them quickly. At the time, I felt I was a 'late bloomer' to online conversation, but I realize now how relatively early to the gate I arrived.

One quarter of the Earth's population regularly use the Internet. Most of them are just now warming up to the idea of having an avatar of their own and engaging with others in a real time online space. This is a skill to be developed at a personal rate, but don't put it off much longer. With all the people and cultures around the world, those with the 'Art of Chat' have an advantage. This may be greatly due to a streamlined language of technology bonded by popular culture.
 
Conversation skills are radically different these days. It used to be that people had to explain common online acronyms. That is hardly the case any more. Most people are hip to LOL, brb, ttyl, imho, etc. Though not always, I tend to use descriptive, humorous and powerful words in chat conversations, adding an occasional acronym and smiley face.  Type-chat is empowering in many ways. Type chatting can be 'character building', and the content of one's character is an important facet of relationships, in person or online. In fact, I remarked several years ago that my husband has an attractive online presence. He types the right things in the right ways, portraying an energetic disposition and a sense of humor rarely seen in person (ha-ha! Sorry, hun. Just kidding!) The point is, this is as much a form of personal communication as it is a form of global communication. We, as the human race, are no longer confined to hand written, physical or voice forms of communication. Online conversations in the form of ‘chat’ are leading the way people communicate across the Earth. There are different languages and dialects around the world, dictated by regions and cultures. In many ways, culture and dialect varies across the Grid, too. It just depends what platform you're using.

'Platforms' are Internet programs designed with a particular function. They include Second Life, World of Warcraft, Facebook, etc. The Internet also provides us with games, virtual worlds, business meeting sites, social networks and e-mail, all with 'instant messaging' features. Most online users around the world understand how to navigate the Internet. Search engines are essentially our directories. Every topic of interest can be found at your fingertips. Handy mobile devices make it easy (and fun) to tap into information on the Internet several times a day. It's fast, reliable and informative.  It's the Information Age, for certain, and the human race is finally publicly embracing a new style of communication.

Unlike face-to-face or phone interaction, type-chat conversations online include awkwardly long pauses and wonderment of attention. Multitasking is assumed. Manners and social queues in 'chat' still go a long way, when used properly. Online conversations flow as easily as a phone conversation. We talk about 'netiquette' and social queues in our book, 'The Unofficial Guide to Building Your Business in the Second Life Virtual World'. There is an unspoken necessity of practicing social graces while online. This is true for simple conversations, too. 'Chat’ is a part of life online, and life online is here for generations.

Whether you are a casual user or are carefully sculpting an online presence, having the keen ability to maintain small talk and online chat will improve your overall online experiences while enhancing conversations with friends, old and new.

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