In what ways do you communicate online?
The content explores the evolution of communication across various species, highlighting how even the simplest organisms engage in communication. It observes animals like ants, whales, and dolphins using unique techniques, while also noting plants’ rudimentary responses to stimuli. The narrative illustrates the progression of communication complexity, culminating in humans who developed advanced speech and writing systems. The advent of computers and social media has transformed communication, enabling instant sharing of various content types. Despite these advancements, a cautionary note emphasises the importance of discerning and responsible use of digital platforms, given the potential risks linked with careless communication practices.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The article explores the evolution of communication across species, from simple organisms to advanced human systems.
- It highlights how ants, dolphins, and whales use unique communication methods, showcasing the complexity of animal conversations.
- Humans developed advanced speech and writing, significantly changing communication with the advent of computers and social media.
- Despite advancements, the article emphasizes the need for responsible digital communication practices to avoid risks.
- Overall, it stresses that knowledge is the best defense in navigating modern communication challenges.
Pair of birds
It was a pleasant spring morning. Nature was at her best. Colourful flowers, gentle breeze, clean azure sky with flakes of wispy clouds, all boiled down to an invigorating atmosphere. The chirping birds added dimension. They were happily hopping and chirping, sometimes solo, sometimes making a call to communicate. Amid it all, a pair of birds were busy making their home. It was a nice experience to watch them busy with their work and conversing with each other at the same time.
Communication
Communication is a unique and important gift of Mother Nature to organisms. It is this that helps individuals connect in private or in groups. Even the earliest organisms try to communicate with each other in one way or another.
Ants: collectivism
A line of ants walking and doing their work and communicating simultaneously is a learning experience for the most “intelligent” “Homo sapiens”, commonly known as humans. As ants move, they stop for a moment, touch each other with their labial palps, communicate and move on. They release pheromones for communication and reach en masse to the place where they need each other’s joint effort. Ants lead a highly organised life, and each individual remains connected. Some other insects like ants, bees and white ants lead an organised life and communicate in their own way.
Other social insects
Other insects like white ants (termites), honeybees, et cetera have a complex society and highly organised hierarchy with a clear division of labour. Each individual has a well-defined role. They effectively communicate with each other by their unique modes of communication.
Increasing complexities
The complexity of communication mode increases in the animal kingdom, rising up the ladder. It became more telegraphic and effective in higher groups of animals like birds and mammals. The birds communicate with their chirp, quack, caw, or call. It differs under different conditions.
Communication in aquatic animals
Apart from terrestrial animals, aquatic animals have highly technical modes of communication. Whales, for example, who live in pods, communicate with each other using pulsed calls, whistles, and even symbols. In the latter case, they used to stroke water with their tails in various ways for communication. Similarly, animals like Dolphins and Bats use echolocation to communicate and perceive any danger or objects coming their way. Echolocation is releasing high-pitched sound waves and receiving them back. When returned after reflection, the waves tell them about the distance of any object in their way. Humans use this technique to locate ships, submarines in the sea or sometimes even aeroplanes in the sky.
Communication and plants
Communication is apparently not observed in the plant world. Nonetheless, they respond to stimuli in their own way. Plants have no nervous system or the ability to speak. Unlike animals, plants lack sensation and the ability to communicate through speech. In contrast to animals of even lower groups, which have the power of senses, plants have no sensory power. The plants, nevertheless, communicate subtly. Their communication is hardly perceivable.
Touch-me-not
It’s amazing to watch the plant of “Touch-me-not”. It closes its leaves when touched! Plants in general respond to various physical stimuli like light, gravity, and water. A plant wilts when it faces water scarcity. They even feel shocked in extreme weather conditions. Like animals, they adapt themselves according to the environment in which they live and thrive.
Animal vs plants
Animal Kingdom is different from that of plants in having sense organs and a defined brain. Their response to the stimuli is distinct. Even early animals, having no developed nervous system, show their ability to respond to bright light or heat.
Communication advanced
As the evolution progressed, complexities in organisms increased. Depending on the changing scenario, they adapted according to the environment. Mammals, being at the top, are an advanced group that are viviparous except for a few, which are egg-laying mammals. Their mode of communication is more advanced and structured as in the case of whales, dolphins, and Bats.
Communication in humans
Human beings have highly developed communication abilities. With time they developed speech and the ability to articulate sounds in words and make sentences. With the power of articulation, they made words, sentences and language. The power of speech gave them wings. Humans could express themselves and their feelings clearly by speech, not by miming. This reached a crescendo when human beings learned the art of writing. Initially, they used to express by the use of drawings of a particular thing that, with time, developed into symbols and letters. Although most ancient languages have been deciphered, languages like those of the Indus Valley people stay undeciphered. (Aeon)
Languages evolved
In Egyptian Civilisation symbolic language, known as hieroglyphs was in use. It was present on stone in their temples. The writing started initially on stone, followed by clay tablets. In later times substances like leather, paper, the bark of Himalayan birch, palm leaves and papyrus became popular for writing. The ancient scriptures written on the bark of Himalayan birch (“Bhoj Patra”) and on palm leaves (“Tal Patra”) are heritage.
Communication through writings
The Modern Era saw the use of paper to write, drawings and other forms using dip-pens, ink and colours. It was becoming a means of communication and also a means of keeping records of happenings, various orders of emperors/rulers and official proceedings. Besides its formal use, paper is used to express one’s emotional and romantic feelings in the form of poetry or simple love letters. The letters sent to receivers by different modes; the most talked about was by pigeons. Adapted to fly long distances with the ability to remember places, pigeons soon became messengers.
Communication by letter writing
In recent times, with the currency of postal services, letter-writing was the main source of communication and knowing about the well-being of relatives, friends and loved ones. The expanding network of postal services augmented the letter-writing. It was a convenient, economical and effective way of knowing about each other and feeling connected.
Letter writing as an art
Artistically designed heavy papers were used to write a letter especially when pouring hearts to the lover was required. The letter was written painstakingly in calligraphic style, using ornamental language and the choicest words, phrases and figures of speech. Both sides were eager to have letters, which used to be a prized possession and a storehouse of emotions.
Computers and communication
With the development and use of computers, communication has seen a paradigm shift. The long and time-consuming letter-writing and waiting for its reply has become a thing of the past. It was not long ago when people relied on postal services, but now, no more. The tsunami of computer technology and its fast refinement has taken the world by storm. Once used to be huge and cumbersome, computers are becoming faster, smaller, thinner and more convenient to use.
Social media
The increasing use of computer technology in people’s lives has drastically changed the way of communication. Different social media platforms have become available to communicate and stay connected. Some popular applications include, but are not limited to, Facebook, WhatsApp, X, and Instagram. Many communication platforms focus on user convenience. People can exchange communication at lightning speed on a real-time basis. It is not restricted to text messages only. A user can send pictures, videos and voice messages along with text messages. Digitization has created wonders. Anyone can watch the news, views, comments, and the latest happenings live, anywhere and anytime, using their smartphones.
Personal choice
Choosing a platform for communication is personal. It depends on the taste of the person using it and how. The confidentiality of the messages is of utmost importance for some platforms. The ease and convenience of digital platforms have some dark aspects as well. Individuals should navigate digital platforms with care and caution, adhering to established norms and protocols. Proper knowledge, awareness and precautions can save a user from impending mishappening and bamboozling.
Knowledge is defence
The fast-moving life of modern humans has brought some fast, smart and efficient modes of communication. Besides being beneficial, digital platforms can sometimes be fatal and devastating. The digital platforms are machine-generated and, if used casually and carelessly, can prove hazardous. It can range from financial loss to emotional shattering or even trapped in undue problems. A knife, when used carefully with prudence, is useful. It is dangerous when used with mala fide intention to harm someone. Thus, knowledge is the best defence.
Digital platforms, social media and other computer-driven technological things are extremely good and beneficial when used with care and prudence. So, be careful, be safe.
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200–1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
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