Lost or liberated?

Nowadays, we live in a world which can be considered as dominated by computer mediated communication. Accoring to December (1997), computer mediated communication is a process of human communication via computers, involving people, situated in particular contexts, engaging in processes to shape media for a variety of purposes. More straightforward, computer mediated communication is communication that takes place between two human beings via the instrumentality of computers and examples are, among others, MSN, Facebook, Twitter, e-mail and datingsites.

In general, there are two perspectives about computer mediated communication. The first is the “lost perspective”which states that is it difficult to build a close relationship via computer mediated communication. As distinct from this, the “liberated perspective”states that close relationships can be build via computer mediated communication.

In the fragment below, Dr. Marjolein Antheunis talks about one of her latest studies. In this study, Marjolein Antheunis does research about the possibilites of having eye contact during computer mediated communication conversations by using an eye catcher. By using an eye catcher, computer mediated communication becomes more and more similar to face to face contact, which is, according to “lost perspective” supporters, still the best way to build a relationship.

Curious about the research design and the tentative results of the mentioned study? Please look at  the film fragment below. 

From monopoly to oligopoly

With seventeen buildings, spread over 135.000 square meter, Tilburg University can be considered as a large village. Untill recently, almost 12.000 students and 2.000 co-workers were provided with food and drinks by caterer Albron. However, given among others the considerable amount of exchange students, Tilburg University decided that it was time for a change in 2011.

In view of entrepreneurship and internationalization, Tilburg University decided to chose for several different caterers. A recent good example of this, is the recently launched halal counter and the “Topcrogue” sandwich and juice corner. In order to stimulate the necessary internal competition, “Doner Company” and a wok restaurant will be opened in the future.