Problems in Communication

Re-reading Weaver's Communication Theories, I was especially taken aback by the similarities between the "Three Levels of Communications Problems" in the mechanical/computerized sphere and  basic human interaction. The first level describes the basic problem of how "accurately...the symbols of communication" can be transmitted. This problem in mechanical communication exists in the realm of human communication as well. We assume accuracy won't be an issue when talking to someone or emailing them, but how can we be sure that their understanding was the correct one? This question is the essence of the second problem described by Weaver- "How precisely do the transmitted symbols convey the desired meaning?" This applies to almost every aspect of day to day life. When sitting in lecture, am I really grasping on to the desired meaning that my professor is trying to convey? The only way to be sure is by simply asking, but computers don't have the capacity to ask for clarification in the same way I am. Furthermore, computers have to know what to do in any given situation, but that too is impossible since no one could program an infinite amount of options. Lastly, Weaver describes the third problem- "How effectively does the received meaning affect conduct in the desired way?" In other words, how does the received meaning actually affect the computer's conduct? How will I make use of what I learn in Rhetoric 104? Will I go about my life differently? Will I have a different relationship with technology? This last question is particularly problematic because it is out of the computer programmer's control. There is only so much the programmer can do. The rest is up to the machine. In the same way, there is only so much Professor Bates can teach us about culture and technology. It is up to me to make something of the insights I learn.


While Weaver did not write about communication in terms of human interaction, his problems of communication apply to the human sphere just as much as they apply to the world of computers. After all, computers are supposed to mimic human logic to a certain extend, right?