6. Network Society Flashcards
What are networks?
Structures connecting individuals, groups, and organizations, facilitating communication and interaction.
What role do networks play in contemporary society?
Networks facilitate communication, interaction, and the exchange of information across different levels of society, transforming traditional modes of organization and communication, and influencing economic, political, and social dynamics.
What characterizes networks?
Individualization, fragmentation, direct connections, reliance on technology, especially digital and communication (internet, mobile phone), instant connectivity.
How do networks enable relations?
They establish direct connections between individuals, groups, and organizations, even over long distances.
What is the significance of social and media networks?
They facilitate global communication, shape cultural practices, empower individuals, influence consumer behavior, impact political discourse, contribute to economic growth, support learning and professional development.
What are some effects of networks on social relations?
They are changing how society is organized, making it more connected globally. They make time feel more flexible and immediate, affect how people make decisions and businesses operate (help reach customers).
What are some key trends within the network society?
Trends include articulated relations, substantial relations, direct relations, the combination of online and offline relations, self-referential media relations, interactive relations, highly organized relations, coded relations, selective and exclusive relations, and increasing insecurity in maintaining relationships.
How do networks affect power dynamics and governance?
Networks enable direct connections between individuals and organizations, bypassing traditional hierarchies and geographic boundaries, leading to changes in power dynamics, governance, and cultural practices.
What factors contribute to the functioning of networks?
Many things make networks work, like the technology used, the rules for communication, how information is shared, who is involved, how people participate, how they’re managed, cultural norms, money incentives, guidelines, and rules set by governments.
What is a network society?
A society where people are connected through technology, forming a web of connections instead of relying on a central authority.
What connects people in a network society?
Connections through technology like the internet and mobile phones.
How is a network society different from traditional societies?
Unlike traditional societies, a network society doesn’t have one central authority but is made up of interconnected networks.
What makes networks in a network society strong?
Networks in a network society are strong because they are flexible, scalable, and can adapt to changes.
What technology makes a network society possible?
Technology like the internet and mobile phones enables the formation of a network society.
What aspects does Webster propose for defining the information society?
Webster proposes six aspects: technological, economic, occupational, spatial, cultural, and theoretical knowledge/information.