What our messages leave behind...

The ways that humans communicate are rapidly changing, so are the impressions that are left by our communications.
We often deal with change in monolithic ways. We consider the easy to see facts on the front porch but neglect nuance and sometimes nuance is what is most important.
In the myriad ways humans communicate, it is the subtle, unspoken cues that often draw the ire of those who’s respect we most want to win. In a regular conversation, the body language, eye movements and subtle intonations that accompany communication give use a larger picture of the individual, their personality and possible motives. Being able to decipher these attendant cues is probably one of the skills that served homo sapiens well and led to our success in the game of survival. Seeing the hidden snarl in a potential opponent meant we might avoid actual teeth in a future confrontation. The stages where communication takes place vary but I would wager that the brain quickly acquaints itself with the surroundings and start to glean clues to accompany the words .
With all of this in mind, what are the communicative nuances in IM’s, Tweets, and texts. Is it possible to be perceived as a digital dud or a cyber-clumsy oaf? Growing up and negotiating the complexities of communication was hard when I was a kid and we only had the tone of a voice or penmanship to consider.
While we’re considering the “front porch realities of growing up digital. I suggest that a dialogue about understanding the subtleties of intended or unintended communication is warranted. The best way to help kids learn this curriculum is to live in the digital spaces where they talk