Snail Mail

Snail mail or smail (from snail + mail) named after the snail with its slow speed, used to refer to letters and missives carried by conventional postal delivery services. The phrase refers to the lag-time between dispatch of a letter and its receipt, versus the virtually instantaneous dispatch and delivery of its electronic equivalent. It is also known, more neutrally, as paper mail, postal mail, land mail, or simply mail or post. An earlier term of the same type is surface mail, coined retrospectively after the development of airmail. This happened not too long ago, between the 1970s to 1990s. Snail mail is also a term used in reference to penpalling. Snail mail penpals are those penpals that communicate with one another through the postal system, rather than on the internet which has become the more common medium. Some online groups also use paper mail through regular gift or craft hot topics. In some countries, services are available to print and deliver emails to those unable to receive email, like people with no computers or internet access.

The term "snail mail" appears as early as 1942 in the headline of a news article about slow mail delivery. The term was used by the U.S. Post Office in magazine advertising in the mid to late 1960s to encourage use of zip codes. Ads for zip code use appeared in many issues of "LOOK", "Life", and, "Saturday Evening Post" magazines and displayed a caricature of a large snail outfitted as a letter carrier, with the term "Snail Mail" in bold lettering. The term appears in a Russel Baker humor column about the slow speed of the U.S. Postal Service in 1969.In 1974, the term was used to describe second-class mail which took longer to arrive than first class mail.

Until the 1990s, it was very common to send personal letters using the postal service. Many people have stored collections of letters from friends and loved ones, and the personal correspondence of many writers, artists, and other celebrities have been compiled into books. With the advent of email communication, postal mail is used much less frequently for personal letters; however, it is still the only method for sending larger packages from one place to another. Although its uses have changed over the years, it is still a valuable system.

Today, snail mail is sent through both public and private services, and it can be delivered internationally. In the United States, the US Postal Service is the most common method of delivery for a letter or package, though private carriers are frequently used by online retailers to ship their goods. Under the postal service method, individuals pay for the service by pasting stamps on their letter or package, which are equivalent to a specific amount of money. The price to send a piece of mail varies depending on the package's weight and whether or not it is traveling internationally.

Snail mail, or normal post, as you call it, will never end. It is not the same to receive a physical letter as a virtual thing. I guess we humans shall not lose the ability to interact with friends as in the past. It gives some kind of human touch.

On Virtual Socialization

            The Great Soviet Encyclopedia defines socialization as “the process by which an individual acquires specific knowledge and values and accepts standards that enable him to function as a full and equal member of society.” Socialization imposes certain socially imposed reciprocity; where by an unnoticeable, but intentional shaping of personality or influence is accomplished. Due to its cause-effect relationship, the process of socialization is not just the direct interaction of individuals but is also the total aggregate of social relationships.

           

The subjects of socialization are the initiators and creators of new social order. Qualitative socialization is not a mechanical imposition of a ready social form on an individual, but mutually reinforcing based on give and take philosophy. The success of socialization, therefore, depends on the extent to which an individual is involved in the creative social action that transforms the society in desirable manner.

Media plays a crucial role in the qualitative aspects of socialization. Modern man is fortunate enough to have unbridled access to social networking platforms, enlivening and illuminating his personality. Internet is the kingpin to facilitate socialization in modern time and will continue in future also. The internet embedded platforms have configured socialization into virtual entities, rather than traditional real entities. Socialization in the online platforms has been christened ‘social networking.’ The virtual communities are viewed as consumer groups of varying sizes that meet and interact online for the sake of achieving personal as well as shared goals of their members.

These platforms are also Social media marketing through which the members can communicate with people of similar interests. It favours socially enhanced reputation, personal development and relationship with benefits. The influence of social media in modern business and disseminate information is seamlessly vast. It benefits organisations and individuals by providing an additional channel for customer support, a means to gain customer and competitive insight, and a method of managing their reputation online. Key factors that ensure its success are its relevance to the customer, the value it provides them with and the strength of the foundation on which it is built. A strong foundation serves as a stand or platform in which the organisation can centralise its information and direct customers.

Virtual socialization which means people interact and socialize with each other from far off or next door through the means of Internet. Many people join these networking sites to meet new people, share their interests, experiences, feedbacks etc. however some people do keep in contact with their old friends and relatives staying away from them through these. As technology gets more and more advanced, it should not be overlooked the fact that the information shared on can easily be manipulated or misused. It is essential to safeguard the personal information while using websites.

Technology and Education

Technology plays a large role in many aspects of day-to-day life, and education is no different. Technology is rapidly changing the way students learn and how instructors teach. As technology continues to evolve, it brings with it new opportunities and challenges for educators and students. Social networking is a great example of technology that can help — or hinder — education, depending on how it is used and integrated into teaching plans. Privacy and security are two concerns that can come with using social networking in the classroom. It can also become a distraction to students, or even a tool used for bullying.

Computers have replaced chalkboards as the go-to tool in classrooms today. And it’s not just happening in higher education; technology is part of education for children of all ages. It’s also a part of their daily lives. According to some researcher “computer use is pervasive among very young children”

Using social networking as part of the learning process can also have benefits. Students who are more introverted may open up and connect more with faculty and other students when they are communicating through social networking. It also affords students the opportunity to collaborate and work together in a whole new way. Social networking currently has the greatest impact in the today’s web world. Modern day youngsters and college students are mostly engaging their time in social networking websites to stay alive with their friends. There is also social networking sites designed specifically for education.

College students can be notoriously connected to technology, including social networking, through their smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Social media in education presents college students with different benefits and detriments compared to their younger counterparts. Facebook is the most used social media tool in higher education. Additionally, colleges can use social media to encourage school spirit, foster the growth of alumni groups, and offer virtual tours to potential students.

So whether it is a college student studying classic literature or a grade school student first learning to read, technology is now an integral part of the education process, CLSU is one of the institute engaging in this type of modernization techniques.