This article argues that a distinctive aspect of computer-mediated communication (CMC) is the way it can make communication visible to others in ways that were previously impractical. We propose a theory of communication visibility that recognizes its multidimensional nature: resulting from activities that make communication visible, efforts by actors to see communication, and a sociomaterial context that influences possibilities for visibility. The different dimensions of communication visibility are explored as they relate to possibilities for action with CMC, and the ability of third-parties to view communication between others. Centering communication visibility in the study of CMC compels scholars to ask new questions regarding the interdependence of active, strategic efforts to make communication more or less visible to others, and the ways in which communication is assessed by observers. To facilitate ongoing research we offer an agenda for incorporating communication visibility into the study of contemporary and future forms of CMC.

中文翻译：

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可见性时代的计算机介导通信

本文认为，计算机介导的通信（CMC）的独特之处在于它可以使通信以以前不切实际的方式对其他人可见。我们提出了一种传播可见性的理论，该理论认识到它的多维性质：源自使传播可见的活动，行为者观看传播的努力以及影响可见性可能性的社会物质环境。探讨了通信可见性的不同方面，因为它们涉及CMC采取行动的可能性，以及第三方查看彼此之间通信的能力。在CMC的研究中，以沟通的可见性为中心，迫使学者们提出一些新的问题，以寻求相互之间或多或少可见的积极，战略性努力的相互依存关系，以及观察员评估交流的方式。为了促进正在进行的研究，我们提供了一个议程，将传播可见性纳入对CMC的当代和未来形式的研究中。