This cartoon highlights the progression of communication over historical ages. It relates to Chapter 4 in its discussion of how communication has evolved over time. On the left panel, it showcases early humans using primitive verbal expressions and speech like “OOG” and “ROLF”, while on the right panel, modern humans use text-based abbreviations like “OMG” and “ROFL” on mobile devices. The two panels convey the same messages but just in different forms. This cartoon captures the history of communication mentioned in the chapter, whereas humans used to mainly communicate in public speeches and face-to-face interaction during eras like the Classical Era and the Renaissance, to technologically mediated forms like texting and social media. It reflects how the New School period focuses on technological advancements and the impact of media and digital communication on human interaction.

This cartoon can be related to me, as a modern human who uses the same form of communication and abbreviations in my daily communication. This cartoon also makes me wonder if people in the past had similar method of communication, whereas they abbreviated messages in short forms for quickness. It’s a funny but accurate way to show how far we’ve come in the way we connect and share meaning.

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