Technology changing the way we talk – The Punch survey

ALMOST 50 per cent of Australians say they now spend more time communicating online than they do through face-to-face conversations.

And more than 80 per cent believe technology such as social networking, blogs and discussion forums are encouraging shorter or less in-depth conversations and quicker topic changes, according to a new national survey.

But despite the shift to digital mediums to “talk”,  the art of conversation is not dead, with Australians saying that humour and friendly disagreement are essential for a good chat.

Topping the list of Aussies favourite online conversation topics are world affairs, ideas and lifestyle.

The survey of more than 1140 people was conducted last month by News Limited’s new opinion and current affairs website – www.thepunch.com.au, which launches today.

Survey respondents said the most important ingredients of an online conversation were listening, learning and  being heard, with laughing and having your ideas challenged more important than agreeing in a conversation.

The Punch will encourage national debate with coverage of issues of the day from business and sport to food, fashion, science, health and technology.

The site is headed by David Penberthy, former editor of The Daily Telegraph.

“The survey shows that the art of conversation is alive and well in Australia,” Mr Penberthy said.

“Australians don’t take themselves too seriously and they enjoy a laugh, and these findings show that people are much more interested in having a good time when they talk to each other, be it online or face-to-face, than waging some battle for supremacy in the contest of ideas.”

“It’s this spirit which we will try to capture at The Punch, reflecting the national appetite for a good-natured, sleeves-up debate about the issues of the day.”

The survey also found:

• 73 per cent spend more time or equal to the amount of time in conversations via technology as face-to-face.

• Friends are the best to have a conversation with at 40 per cent, ahead of partners at 21per cent and family at 15 per cent.

• 68 per cent say conversations in the workplace are becoming shorter and less in depth in the interests of efficiency and saving time.

• Technology is changing the way conversations occur with 82 per cent saying technology such as social networking, blogs and discussion forums are enabling people to stay in contact with others, encouraging shorter or less in depth conversations and quicker topic changes.

• Online conversations are having a positive personal impact, with 87 per cent of Australians said they have had a really good or excellent conversation in the last week

• The top five topics people like to have a conversation about were:

1. The world (politics, climate change and finances) at 19 per cent  
2. Ideas at 18 per cent  
3. Lifestyle (hobbies, anecdotes, plans, interests) at 17 per cent 
4. What other people are up to 12 per cent  
5. My day at 10 per cent   

The Punch has assembled some of the country’s leading writers for the multi-platform publishing venture, which will deliver content online, in print through the News Limited stable of newspapers, and on television through Sky News Australia.

It will offer real-time comment and analysis – “breaking” opinion the way other sites break news – written by The Punch team and a rolling roster of 100 outside contributors, with plenty of scope for reader feedback and interaction.