We are already living in a world where people often communicate by text and social network as opposed to voice, some interpersonal relationships exist solely via text/online, and immediate responses are expected (you know if someone doesn't respond in 3/5ths of a second to your text, you wonder what's taking so long). For casual conversation I can understand, but it is not appropriate for dumping someone, threatening/harassing someone, and certainly not doing...this kind of thing.
And above all, it is not appropriate for telling people their families and friends have perished. Malaysia Airlines defended their method, which on first read almost makes sense, but there need to be some circumstances that are simply off limits, and I definitely think this is one of them.
Professor Darren I completely agree with you. I love technology very much. I love people more. I think the families of those who were lost deserved a better way to be notified. This may be a good example of companies hiding behind technology instead of facing people and doing the right thing.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that as technology advances, social interaction is decreasing. You can tell by the way people do interact when they come out into the real world. It's like they become evil monsters. The real world becomes difficult to face. What happened to politeness and caring about someone's feelings. There are just certain things you should not do via text and notifying someone of a loved one's death is not one of them.
ReplyDeleteRoger, I totally agree with you. It seems as if when a person sits behind technology they become tough, hard, and insensitive. It makes people say what they may not say in the open. I think it is the true measurement of weakness
DeleteI also think this is no way of letting a loved one know of the fate of that dreadful event. They have been eagerly waiting to hear something anything about their family members. Probably looking at their phones to see if that will make the phone ring. I can't believe they have the audacity to do such a thing. They should be fined for that coward act. I feel as if they have no heart or concern for a persons emotions. Wow this has made my blood boil.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I don't know what they were thinking sending a text message to inform someone of a tragic loss. Like you stated, when waiting for news and constantly watch the phone to hear something, and your stomach is in knots because of it. Don't get me wrong, I am the biggest text messenger, however, there are definitely instances that are not appropriate for texting.
DeleteMya Taylor
I couldn't agree with you more that this was not the way that Malaysia Airlines should have let the families that were on the plane know that the plane had supposedly crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean, and that they could assume that all lives on board had been lost. I think this is a the most cowardly thing that a corporation could do when breaking news like this, and is something that Malaysia Airlines needs to work on within their communication and media teams.
ReplyDelete- Shane Booth
I think that it was wrong for them to send a condolence via text message to the families. This is already a hard enough thing to deal with that the plane crashed into the ocean. Technology can be great way to get a mass message out but it should be used to tell people that the passengers on the plane have perished. I think that the fact there are still so many unanswered questions about what happened on that plane the least Malaysia Airlines could do is contact the loved ones personally.
ReplyDelete-Stephanie Theobald
Considering the amount of time that has passed, and with little evidence to suggest otherwise, I believe most people feel that their are tragically no survivors. However, if one of my loved ones were on that plane, I could not help but to hold out hope to see them again. When I heard that the families of the deceased were notified via text regarding their loved ones, may jaw dropped. This is truly appalling and I still can't believe it happen.
ReplyDeleteI definitely wouldn't want to receive that kind of news thru text messages but I do however maybe see a point in doing so. I think since there are so many family members that are awaiting to hear any kind of news the quickest way to reach every single person at the same time would be just to send out a massive text message. If they were calling each person once they got off that phone call that person might call someone else that is involved and maybe play a game of telephone and not repeat the right information or some people might hear news thru the grapevine and become upset because they weren't reached first. Of course everyone has their opinions and it's all upsetting to hear either way!
ReplyDelete-Kristen Lalli
As technology becomes a more prominent part of our daily lives, I can see a real decline in social skills. Personally, I believe that it stunts young children's social development. I can't believe Malaysia Airlines notified the families of the victims via text message! It is completely inappropriate and impersonal. Big, important news should always be told in person (ideally) or via telephone. I feel so hurt, and upset for the families who had to find out this way.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is never appropriate, cell phones make it easy for people to hide, especially if they have unsettling news or information.
I agree with you on this!!! Using texting for this situation is very wrong. I do not know if that is a cultural practice, but it would not fly in the US.
ReplyDeleteI could not believe that families were notified via text message. When I heard this on the news I literally just stood there shaking my head. Really Malaysia Airlines? How would you like a text that your spouse or daughter or child was one of those passengers and hey, no biggie, just going to shoot you out a text to let you know we're determining them deceased. There is no compassion in that whatsoever and it was tasteless and cold. While texting it a convenient form of communication, especially for a group that large, this is most certainly one of those things you don't relay over text. Families were already distraught enough and I am saddened that they weren't treated with a little more dignity.
ReplyDelete-Bridget Towery
I could not believe what I was hearing. When I heard this it made me feel bad for those families who were looking at their phones and instead of looking at the time they see themselves reading in a text message such sad news. I understand it is a fast way of communication but the airlines could've at least sent out an official e-mail. It is the same thing as the police texting you instead of calling you to let you know a family member has been in an accident. It is unbelievable that they would have any reason at all to think this was ok to do.
ReplyDeleteAnother gross misuse and a poor section of a communication medium. Basic business courses always stress communication and in what form the communication should be done through. It looks like Malaysia Airlines did not want anything to do with the families and did what they thought was the easiest, not what was right. Sensitive issues like this is where a company can gain customers for life or destroy themselves. Through their actions I am sure that Malaysia Airlines as just destroyed themselves.
ReplyDeleteI too agree that this was completely unacceptable. As much as I am all for text messages and emails to keep things simple and easy. I also know that there are some things that still need a personal touch. This would be one of those things. I could not imagine having to get a text like they did about a loved one. People these days just have no sense. What type of person would send that text message out and think that it was appropriate? Good customer service is so hard to find but this is crossing the line. The bad publicity that Malaysia Airlines is getting from this story is enough to put them out of business. They have earned every bit of it.
ReplyDelete