Hypercommunication

Hypercommunication is a conceptual extension of French sociologist, philosopher, and cultural theorist Jean Baudrillard's theories on communication's rapid evolution in an increasingly digital and media-intensive environment.<ref>Baudrillard, Jean (1987). The Ecstasy of Communication. ISBN 978-1-58435-057-6.</ref> In simpler terms, hypercommunication is excess inbound or outbound communication, often precipitated by technology.<ref>Begg, Caitlin (August 2023). "Everyday Conversation: The Effect of Asynchronous Communication and Hypercommunication on Daily Interaction and Sociotechnical Systems". ResearchGate. 2023 American Sociological Association Annual Meeting: The Educative Power of Sociology. doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.24103758. Retrieved 23 December 2023.</ref>

Baudrillard discussed hypercommunication as the acceleration of everyday communication which eliminates all distance, mystery, and meaning.<ref>Baudrillard, Jean (1987). The Ecstasy of Communication. p. 83. ISBN 978-1-58435-057-6.</ref> The term is also used to describe the accelerated communication patterns emerging from the widespread use of smartphones in the 21st century.<ref>Achenbach, Joel (25 March 2013). "Hypercommunication: How we live now". The Washington Post. Retrieved 23 December 2023.</ref>

Hypercommunication is characterized as a dramatic increase in telecommunication events and exchanges, leading to a significant shift where omnipresence and constant availability, often perceived as an ethical obligation, has transformed everyday social behavior and psychological well-being potentially resulting in a form of self-enslavement to technology.<ref>Ulrich Obrist, Hans (2012). "Infinite Availability—about Hypercommunication (and Old Age)". Throughout. MIT Press. pp. 237–246. doi:10.7551/mitpress/8437.003.0018. ISBN 9780262305259. Retrieved 23 December 2023.</ref>