In my first instance of media selection, I am not the main actor; rather, the person who did choose the media explained to me her reasoning for doing so. Over the summer, five minutes after having parted with my friend “E”, I got a call from her, fully expecting her to say that I had forgotten something at her place. Instead, E tells me she wants to read our mutual friend L’s AIM away message over the phone and get my interpretation. E reads me a statement that basically lets us know that L’s 22 year old sister had died unexpectedly. Well, after a phone chain informing the rest of our friends, I called L, and among other things, discussed why she choose an away message to get across this news. She explained that she didn’t feel like calling everybody up and breaking the news to them- it would be too heartbreaking and hard to stay composed. Putting it on an away message informed some people who thereby told everyone else relevant. In more difficult messages, I suppose the leaner medium makes it easier to relay information. This goes against media richness theory, in which equivocal tasks like breaking up are best done using a richer medium. Since a negative situation was broadcasted through mediated interaction, this instance supports O’Sullivan’s theory. My decision to call her and later interact with her face to face indicates that although the situation was negative and uncomfortable, richer media are still more socially appropriate under such situations because any discomfort would have been on my part, and in this case my feelings were not the ones that mattered- support from L’s friends positively benefited her.
Secondly, in a less dramatic instance in which I was the main actor, upon finding that my cousin was engaged today, I called her as opposed to sending her a facebook message or congratulatory email. A richer and synchronous medium allowed for more efficient and fast exchange of details of the proposal, expected wedding dates, etc. A positive situation broadcasted on richer media also supports O’Sullivan’s model.
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Christina,
I find your first example a very interesting portrayal of O’Sullivan’s model. I can understand why your friend chose a lean media to communicate her message, because it was the easiest way to get the word out without having to deal with the pain associated with such an emotionally charged task. I’m not sure if I would express it the same way that she did, but I guess it all depends on your comfort level and personal feelings – kind of like how you responded by calling other friends to notify them of the situation. My condolences to your friend and her family; it is tragic to lose someone so young.
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