I wanted something that would communicate the power of virtual networks and give you a bit of insight into why we are making you explore and analyse them for the next couple of weeks. I found some great videos & a TEDTalk by Sherry Turkle (the lady who wrote "life on the screen"). I'll post it on the facebook page for anyone that wants to have a look. However, all the videos I watched seemed to be lacking something.
The academic analysis of these networks is really important - don't get me wrong! Virtual networks exist at the indices of sociality and technology; they are re-shaping our social worlds and the way we interact (for better and for worse). They are changing our understandings of freedom, privacy, democracy, and ownership; as well, as the way we do business and educate ourselves. And it's super important to study all this, from all sorts of disciplinary perspectives - psych., sociology, economics, law, criminology, education, politics ... the lot.
But for me, as a so-called "cyber-anthropologist" (it's a thing guys trust me!), the most interesting things about virtual networks are the people within them. How they interact, how they form relationships and communicate, and how they create a sense of community and place online. Basically, how the sprawling global-digital-networks that we are part of influence our lives (online and offline).
And, out of all the videos I watched, I don't think anyone managed to express the power of virtual networks quite as well as this guy in the first few minutes of this youtube clip.
Your task for this week is to find a network (there's more info on that in the tute vid). And from next week (wk3), till week 8, I'm handing the blog over to you guys.
But for now, ....
What are your thoughts on virtual networks/social-networking?
- Is it important to study them/it?
- How does power operate in virtual networks? Who has the power? And how is it used?
- Do you think we rely too much on online interactions - do they enhance our relationships or alienated us from each other?
- And, what about surveillance? Who's watching and why?
Check out the readings and the lecture.
And, then let us know what you think in the comments ...
- Rhian
References:
Turkle, S. (1995). Life on the screen: Identity in the age of the internet. New York: Simon & Schuster
I think social networks are important because of the insight they offer into other networks within human life. I think power in virtual networks is semi hidden, people feel that they are in control and in many cases fail to see who monitors their habits and actions. Power in most networks is used to control particular content, individuals however can manipulate power to create ideas about content.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who quit Facebook due to surveillance concerns i feel that the internet offers a false sense of freedom that allows us to be even more monitored especially by large corporation's that do not have our best interests in mind. In terms of social interaction, humans are declining in participating due to many reasons not just the internet, text messaging too disassociates people. In a changing world it is impossible to go backward people must learn to incorporate the real and virtual equally into their lives to avoid losing sight of one of the worlds, which can be easily done.
I deleted Facebook about a year ago, not because of of surveillance concerns but because of this false sense of a reality and being close to people. I found that after deletion, my (in a sense) social life and my well being with the people that I truly wished to be close with (girl friend, family, best friends, real friends and in a sense random people that you meet and become close too) become better and more meaningful. I foudn that people called me or went out of there way to come around and SPEND TIME IN REAL LIFE with me :) :P:P Please don't get me wrong I love online networks, I am a huge computer fan with a $4000 dolor computer that I built myself and my whole life I have been apart of massive online networks (I have even made massive amounts of money from networks), but just in regards to Facebook I feel that Facebook is a true example of a network that tricks you into thinking that your life is in a way better than every one else's and that you are happy with the people in your life.
DeleteJust my 2cents not sure if people agree, disagree everyone to their own :):)
Please comment. :)
Better repost this here then for all you non-facebookers ;) especially seeing as Sherry seems to echo a lot of what you've both said in her talk. Here the link if you're interested: http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together.html
ReplyDeleteCorinna here, I don't know how to get my name in the title..
ReplyDeleteI think that people who are part of real social networks tend to not use services like Facebook so much. I mean they may use them to keep in contact but they aren't online often and don't leave many comments and when they do it's usually to mention real life meet ups. I think it's important to study virtual networks to understand the mass crowd more than the real life social networks that exist.
I used to post way to much on Facebook because it was so tempting as it's difficult for others to find the time to listen to you in real life. It can create a false sense of intimacy and trust, then there is the worry of being too open because anybody could be reading what you're saying. Power exists to those who can watch without participating.
I think they are great to keep in contact with people but not good for actually interacting with them. They should be like a tool as when people used to keep address books instead. When they are used for interacting I think they are alienating.
There is so much information floating around these days that we suffer from info overload so I wouldn't worry too much about who is watching, free speech is important too yet it is a risk. I no longer comment or anything on Facebook anymore because there is no sense of real life trust.
Click the name/url option under the "comment as" section & then enter your name.
DeleteAlso, your point about info overload is a good one and its a tactic that is being actively mobilised to combat surveillance e.g. Troll the NSA: http://trollthensa.com/ - I'm withholding judgement about how useful this actually is, but its definitely an interesting development in terms of digital resistance.
It is important to study networking, as it has brought the individual and collective groups new ways of interacting, learning and health benefits for human life. The more we learn and study these networks, the more improvements and benefits that can occur or our future networking.
ReplyDeletePower seems to be present in all levels of networking. Although power seems to operate through domination, authority and how these are exercised. Individuals, organisation or anyone can have this power. As the internet is a free zone, it can be used and abused through networking. NSA of late have shown extreme power over networking, in there excessive use of surveillance over normal citizens for information and knowledge. I see this as a use of Panopticon system of power in the modern age. This in the sense of national security, this power is okay, but it is in violations of numerous Human Rights.
In today's generation we do rely too much on online interactions and do alienate us from each other. They do enhance our relationships when it comes to distance relations, but in social networks like Facebook, it is changing our social lives, interactions and in general teenagers lives.
Good evening all, hope you're all well.
ReplyDeleteIt's Kate Williams here, I appear in some places as Katherine. I will come up on blogger as Katiecoos, but I'm just letting you know it's me! :)
I believe that there are positives to studying virtual networks; however I don't believe it's a reliable form of sociology. Social networks are faceless and because you can "hide behind a computer screen" there is no real way of telling if your thoughts are sincere because there is no visible body language.
The benefits of studying a social network would be for marketing purposes and being able to bring people together who mightn't meet in real life (if it wasn't for the internet).
For example, two people could meet during online dating and become married within a number of years. It would be useful to see if these sites are successful in creating long lasting relationships. Also as stated by Theresa in the lecture, Facebook is able to target marketing towards us by monitoring our likes and posts. This allows the companies to gain essential market research.
I believe anyone can have the power online. Technology cannot allow us to completely wipe a file. Even those with little computer experience may have the power to web search for a post; we also have no way of known if anyone has recorded our posts to a different platform prior to deleting them. For example, we could post an offensive Facebook status about a person when we are upset. Someone may screen capture this and send it to a relevant party. Even though we have deleted it, there are still traces of this post. This is an example of an ordinary citizen holding power over you.
Secondly, the fact that every single character we type, draw or communicate on the internet is permanently recorded as data, means that we are constantly under surveillance; however we mostly choose not to notice it. If we are conscious of this though, we may think thoroughly before posting something. For example, you wouldn't post about colleagues if you had them added as a Facebook friend.
Humans can rely too much on social interaction. I believe it is due to the following reasons:
- Social networking is addictive
- Some people enjoy adding more "friends" than others
- It is more convenient than calling someone or meeting up with them; some could say it's also cheaper (for example, if you chat with someone on Facebook; you save the money you would've spent on coffee and cake for a catch up)
- People can live a fake life (they may check into many places to appear like a social butterfly; however most places can be checked into while sitting on the couch.)They can also type statuses that may not be true, however because we can't see their body language or listen to their tone of voice, we can't actually tell if it's the truth.
- Some people get gratification of posting about their close personal relationships; however yet again we don't know if they are lying or embellishing the truth.
I personally believe social networking is ruining social INTERACTION! It is more meaningful to spend time with people, to talk and socialize while having some fun and visiting places. Our communication and grammar is suffering because of social networking and internet speak. I often see many people out with each other, but they are both on their phones - this is wrong on so many levels!
Apologies for the long post, I had a bit to say. :)
Nice response :)
DeleteIn terms of whether social networks are "reliable form of sociology" I'd have to say this depends on what you're research topic is - if it's how people interact online then studying virtual networks becomes pretty essential ;)
Social networking sites (SNS) play on deep seated evolutionary tendencies - we're social animals and SNS play on our need for social interaction & related neurological reward centres, their use can even result in a "dopamine high". But I think you're right & we need to think critically about the kinds of interactions that we are having.
Here's a link to an article on dopamine & social networking if anyone's interested: http://www-scf.usc.edu/~uscience/dopamine_social_networking.html
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteSorry again for the late post... I’m still catching up.
Firstly, I'll admit that I am resistant to online everything and have only recently made the decision to embrace online options. I generally do not enjoy using the computer and until about 2 months ago only used the computer for uni, Facebook and online banking. I have recently decided to study externally, bought a few things online and joined Weight Watchers online to shed the last 5 kilos.
I definitely feel that the online networks lack something. For example I lost my first 10kg attending Weight Watchers meetings and it was quite rewarding showing up and getting weighed when I had a good week and on bad weeks put me back on track. I changed jobs and I have been trying to loose of the last 5kg online because it is more convenient, but I just cannot commit in the same way. I visit the page and am momentarily inspired but then promptly leave my desk and reach into the fridge! I think that it is worth studying how people have varying positive and negative relations with online networks.
I think that online networks allow everyone to feel they have power because they can present themselves in whatever way they want. People do not feel as accountable for online interactions as face to face, I am a restaurant manager and the countless bookings for 30 people for a birthday party where 5-10 people show up are a constant example of this. The poor birthday person says "No, we aren't ready to order yet there are still 20 others coming and 10 who said maybe" and 45 minutes later no one else turns up. I once had a similar experience where my boyfriend organized a BBQ online and 20 people said they were coming and 5 turned up... lets just say we were eating sausages for weeks!
The above are negative examples of online interactions but I also think online networks have the power to enhance relationships. I have a Facebook account I don't post that much but I do like to look at what everyone is doing. All my family live interstate or overseas and so I like to look at pictures and it’s cool that I can see my niece and nephew as they are growing up. I use it to check what is going on in their lives and generally call them to chat or sometimes my sister will pop up and it will remind me to call. I think that Facebook has helped my family and me to keep in touch and enhanced our relationship from afar.
The surveillance thing bothers me... like the junk emails you get after it has picked up what you have been looking at. It just gives me the creeps and I try not to think about it or worry too much.
I'm not really sure what I think of it all, it's like every network people have the power to use it for good or bad.
Sorry for such a long post! My brain is truly spinning so I'm going to have some lunch!
hi all sorry for the late response.... on the subject of the world of internet and technology that we live in today... i feel indifferent, i accept that it all has become a part of our everyday life but being 30 years old i do still remember not even having a mobile phone and i class this as a kind of freedom that is now lost. It seems we r always connected online whether it be through the AMAZING MOBLIE devices we have today. I do personally feel a lack of connection by communicating through online networks... if that makes sense?? i do see the positive effects though...like being able to interact with family and friends interstate and overseas....but i find in everyday life it has come normal to have a conversation on facebook or textmsg rather that going to visit a friend for even 5 miunutes??? there is a sense of freedom interacting online due to the fact that mostly you are not face to face with someone and can create any kind of persona if you like.
ReplyDeleteThe world of technology today does 'freak' me out abit......
I think that social networking is a major part of society and communications with people in this generation. Being only 20 I have not really had anything except technology in my life Im not going to lie i love it and how close it has made people in this generation. also there is major negative aspects to social networking for example online bully and many people committing suicide due to the fact that online bully and people that they don't know are telling them to do it.
ReplyDelete