Castells writes that the ability and need to network has always been prevalent, however with the growing popularity of the internet and social networking it seems our dependency on the routine of networking is what has increased.
In our consumer- driven society, we don't just enjoy using networks- we rely on them. Not only to communicate with others, but as a means of information sharing and learning.
Manuel Castells final words of his work state "networks are the matrix", the originator of all ways of being, connecting and growing. Throughout this subject I hope to broaden my knowledge on the understanding of global networks, and their ability to shape the world in which we live.
Castells, M. (2004) 'Afterword: why networks matter'. In Network Logic: Who governs in an interconnected world? (pp. 219-224) http://www.kirkarts.com/wiki/images/5/51/Castells_Why_Networks_Matter.pdf
Mitew, T. (2011) Lecture 1: Introductory Lecture, 25/07/2011
I really liked it how you stated, " we don't just enjoy using networks- we rely on them." This point is ever so true. We most definitely rely on networks whether we enjoy them or not. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad reality of how much i depend on networks. Especially social networks.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to your comment 'the routine of networking is what has increased', as i too feel as time has passed my overall networking time has increased. Great work em!!!
Online networks are the new diners... remember the old movies where everyone would meet up at the diner to catch up for a social? well now its online... I don't need to see someone for 3 weeks and still feel like I know what they have been up to thanks to the online world of social networks. This is a sad reality but one we have brought upon ourselves. Philosophical jazz.
ReplyDeleteHey Emma :)
ReplyDeleteLike Sam, I found it very interesting that you stated that "we dont just enjoy networks - we reply on them". That is soo true, as besides using social networking applications, playing games, and looking at sites of interest, we are using it more and more when educating ourselves and at work. Further we are using sites such as ebay to get the best prices on consumables.
Networks have always existed; its just that cyberspace and the internet has allowed these links to expand and for us globally to become interconnected.
I think this is kind of like every other revolution before it - much like how the 1900's couldn't have survived and prospered without the technology from the industrial revolution, we couldn't survive as we do now without the information ages gifts of communication technology.
ReplyDeleteThe question I find myself asking is from our new position of greater networked individuals where do we go from here? Facebook and Twitter allow us to communicate our every thought, no matter how mundane it is to everyone without even needing a target audience in mind - so what potentials does the future offer us?