Virtual spaces of information
A few questions that arose of these lectures and readings were: How virtual is the virtual reality of the internet? Does the internet signify a disjuncture between the physical world we live in and the non-physical realm of the internet or is this dichotomy an illusion? If the non-physical world of virtual information influences the material world of economics, politics and culture can we call it virtual? Apart from the obvious, how are communities on the internet different to real communities? Do they perform the same roll or are they deficient? Do online identities actually have an impact on offline identities? Underlying these questions is one main question that keeps popping up: Is the creation of virtual social processes online a product of increasing atomization, alienation and individualization in post-industrial societies? It seems that instead of more meaningful social relations being propagated by virtual worlds the exact opposite is happening. Relationships become loose, fluid and transient leaving no room for long lasting communities of ascent. Rather than being driven by peoples emotional connections to family and community their relationships are lead by either consumer, industrial or vocational goals. These goals effectively work against community making it devoid of any real commitments and responsibilities. Thus it become less of a community and more of a disconnected group of individuals each pursuing their own selfish objectives.
Well i dont think that what you are saying is necessarily true, I guess it depends on how yourself view the internet and your own experiences, relationships built on the internet can be life-long lasting, and can be personal not just consumer, industrial or vocational goals. During our discussion last monday one of the people in our group said that she’s been part of a virtual community for around 9 years, also in Castell’s readings, it illustrates with the support of various studies that “the internet seems to have a positive effect on social interaction”. Also geographically dispersed relatives can keep in touch easier thanks to the internet. This is my opinion on this topic, and my point of view.
I don’t think you quite understood my point. I was talking about communities of ascent. That means that certain values, practices and beliefs are past on to the next generation. Consumer capitalism in postmodernity forces us to leave behind traditon. And you cannot have community without a collective traditon that unites and binds one generation to the next in a consistant way. Community crumbles under the economic pressures and is fragmented by individualism.