http://toolkit.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/media/useruploads/images/IM_Ch3_Pt2_The_Impact_of_Globalisation.jpg
With the progression of the power of globalisation, the world has become a map full of telecommunications and internet networks that embraces equality and diversity amongst people and the way they interact. Cultures have become transnational and the world has shrunk to where people, ideas and stories are just one click away . It enables those from the far end of the globe to narrate their own autobiography and "build on both Humanist and Posthuman concepts"(Mcneill, 2012, p. 103). Although the language barrier may affect communication and social interaction for individuals within some social networks. Experience Project is an example of this where communication and access to the network is English speaking control. It must be very frustrating for non-English speakers as this limits their access for narrating their life story, experiences and contributing to Experience Project. This in a way gives a bias sense to a certain language within the networks context (Luyn, 2013) and empowers the domination of English speakers. This in comparison to a social network like Facebook where those non-English speakers have direct access as its software embraces you with open arms while it learns your story, background and then caters its network around you despite language or culture (Mcneill, 2012).
One of the real problems with Globalisation and the virtual networks like experience project is if the person participating in collaborating is real or an authentic user. One must always consider is his/hers narrative life story, experience real, can you trust this person. Or like James Frey apparent autobiography "A Million Little Pieces", that turned out to be an untrue experience that seemed like an act of deception to the readers (Luyn, 2013). Within cyberspace and a virtual network like Experience Project, its users authenticity of selves and autobiographies could only ever be known by those in control or by Facebook cause they know everything. Unlike a social network like Facebook, Experience Project does not insist of a entire autobiographical account of yourself or life before you can sign up or during your experience on the network. All it asks is for your gender and birthday which straight away provides a sense of authority for an individual. This site is about exercising power through interpersonal communication of knowledge and experiences between individuals (Allen, 2003), not a profit making, data mining initiative like Facebook (Mcneill, 2012).
References
Allen, J. (2003). Lost geographies of power.Malden, MA.: Blackwell.
Luyn, A. V. (2013). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, narratives and the making of place,
Lecture 4 Networked narratives. Retrieved from:
https: //learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp
Good evening Nicholas, hope you're well.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great blog post you have written here. It is great that you have painted a very true picture of the global activity of social networking.
I think your post is also a great juxtaposition to the Aboriginal dreaming. I quote you:
"One of the real problems with Globalisation and the virtual networks like experience project is if the person participating in collaborating is real or an authentic user." We wouldn't know half the time if what people were posting on Facebook was true!
In stark contrast, the song lines tell us that there was a sense if someone was an "authentic" user or not: "But as long as he stuck to the track, he'd always find people who shared his dreaming? Who were, in fact his brothers?" (Chatwin, 1987)
Reference:
Chatwin, B. (1987). The Songlines. In B. Chatwin, Australian Aborigines - Social Life and Customs (p. 13). London: Johnathan Cape Ltd.