The advent of social networking has created a whole new dimension of connectivity between individuals. Tools like Facebook, Myspace, and Friendster have become immensely popular; social networks have made various effects on social relations. Benkler mentions two main effects: the "thickening of preexisting relations" and "the emergence of greater scope for limited-purpose, loose relationships" (357). The Internet has created a dynamic system for communicating that is incomparable to the other forms of communication media.
Communication media such as the TV, radio, and print differ from the Internet by a simple and obvious aspect. The conversation is only one way; the people receiving the message are always only on the receiving end. There is no exchange between the audience and the broadcaster. The message is communicated to a massive audience yet there is little possibility for reponse.
The telephone provides opportunities for exchange yet it is still limited. Telephone conversations are often confined to two individuals or sometimes three if the conference call feature is used. In addition, time is an important factor when using the telephone. The parties communicating need to be available at the same time in order to talk.
The social tools that exist in the Internet do not have many of the problems that other communication media have. The Internet is a place where discourse is ubiquitous; hence, it is impossible for something to be communicated and not receive any response from the public. Commenting tools, email, instant messaging etc. offer easy and quick ways to create dialogue. The issue of time is also not a problem for the Internet. People can converse instantly via chat or they can do it on their own time via email. Things said on the Internet are not completely ephemeral. They linger for a period of time; some stay longer than others.
It is this flexibility of the Internet sets it apart. It offers instantaneous activity and some longevity of content.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Culture, Freedom and the Web
Benker describes the internet as playing an integral role in cultural production. The internet continues to grow at a rapid rate and its growth stimulates "a more participatory and transparent cultural production
system" (274). Benker's definition of culture is a general one that I believe is quiet accurate. We exist in culture and it inevitably dictates our behaviour. The important thing to note is that the relationship is very mutual; we are influenced by culture, and we simultaneously influence it. "Culture is created through communication among human beings", and the internet is a canvas where changes in culture can take place (284).
Another thing that the internet provides for its users is cultural transparency. It offers users numerous meanings for a single thing. The Barbie example that Benker uses does well in not only showing how this cultural transparency is apparent but also how it does not, in fact, function as a tool to control. By being offered with numerous meanings for Barbie when she is looked up on the internet, users learn that she "can have multiple meanings and that choosing meanings is a matter of political concern for some set of people who coinhabit this culture" (287).
The power of the networked environment continually increases as more and more users learn to utilize it for discourse and exchange. The art community is a good example. With an increase in tools to share work, there is an increase in work to be shared; Flickr and Deviantart are just a few. Sharing work stimulates discussion and debate about various epistemology and methodologies. The complicated nature of art is accurately mirrored by the complex network that exists around it on the internet. The ability to spread work via the internet forms a culture that advocates this practice.
system" (274). Benker's definition of culture is a general one that I believe is quiet accurate. We exist in culture and it inevitably dictates our behaviour. The important thing to note is that the relationship is very mutual; we are influenced by culture, and we simultaneously influence it. "Culture is created through communication among human beings", and the internet is a canvas where changes in culture can take place (284).
Another thing that the internet provides for its users is cultural transparency. It offers users numerous meanings for a single thing. The Barbie example that Benker uses does well in not only showing how this cultural transparency is apparent but also how it does not, in fact, function as a tool to control. By being offered with numerous meanings for Barbie when she is looked up on the internet, users learn that she "can have multiple meanings and that choosing meanings is a matter of political concern for some set of people who coinhabit this culture" (287).
The power of the networked environment continually increases as more and more users learn to utilize it for discourse and exchange. The art community is a good example. With an increase in tools to share work, there is an increase in work to be shared; Flickr and Deviantart are just a few. Sharing work stimulates discussion and debate about various epistemology and methodologies. The complicated nature of art is accurately mirrored by the complex network that exists around it on the internet. The ability to spread work via the internet forms a culture that advocates this practice.
Friday, November 13, 2009
The Networked Public Sphere
In chapter 7, Benker suggests that the Internet has made great changes to the public sphere. Therefore, an audience is no just an audience; they have the capacity to communicate and make their own voices public.
A basic tool of networked communication that Benker mentions is the blog. It not only allows users to communicate between one another, but it also functions as a growing cultural practice. When blogs first emerged on the Web, they were merely public "journals" that people used to document everyday happenings. As its popularity began to grow, its social, cultural, and political impacts increased. The current state of blogs is one that has a multitude of purposes.
A reason for its success is mainly due to its simplicity. Blogs are easy to set up and use. They can also be edited from any computer so long as it has access to the Internet. One aspect that separates blogs from regular webpages is that they "enable individuals to write to their Web pages in journalism time—that is, hourly, daily, weekly—whereas Web page culture that preceded it tended to be slower moving" (217).
In addition, the fact that readers of a blog have the ability to comment on the blogger's post creates a dynamic exchange of information between writer and audience. Despite the fact that the blogger has the power to filter what is being posted, it is important to note that not all do so. As a result, the advent of blogging technology has helped to form a complex network of information flow and to change the traditional structure in which news is communicated.
A basic tool of networked communication that Benker mentions is the blog. It not only allows users to communicate between one another, but it also functions as a growing cultural practice. When blogs first emerged on the Web, they were merely public "journals" that people used to document everyday happenings. As its popularity began to grow, its social, cultural, and political impacts increased. The current state of blogs is one that has a multitude of purposes.
A reason for its success is mainly due to its simplicity. Blogs are easy to set up and use. They can also be edited from any computer so long as it has access to the Internet. One aspect that separates blogs from regular webpages is that they "enable individuals to write to their Web pages in journalism time—that is, hourly, daily, weekly—whereas Web page culture that preceded it tended to be slower moving" (217).
In addition, the fact that readers of a blog have the ability to comment on the blogger's post creates a dynamic exchange of information between writer and audience. Despite the fact that the blogger has the power to filter what is being posted, it is important to note that not all do so. As a result, the advent of blogging technology has helped to form a complex network of information flow and to change the traditional structure in which news is communicated.
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