6. Network Society Flashcards

1
Q

What are networks?

A

Structures connecting individuals, groups, and organizations, facilitating communication and interaction.

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2
Q

What role do networks play in contemporary society?

A

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.

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3
Q

What characterizes networks?

A

Individualization, fragmentation, direct connections, reliance on technology, especially digital and communication (internet, mobile phone), instant connectivity.

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4
Q

How do networks enable relations?

A

They establish direct connections between individuals, groups, and organizations, even over long distances.

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5
Q

What is the significance of social and media networks?

A

They facilitate global communication, shape cultural practices, empower individuals, influence consumer behavior, impact political discourse, contribute to economic growth, support learning and professional development.

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6
Q

What are some effects of networks on social relations?

A

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).

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7
Q

What are some key trends within the network society?

A

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.

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8
Q

How do networks affect power dynamics and governance?

A

Networks enable direct connections between individuals and organizations, bypassing traditional hierarchies and geographic boundaries, leading to changes in power dynamics, governance, and cultural practices.

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9
Q

What factors contribute to the functioning of networks?

A

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.

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10
Q

What is a network society?

A

A society where people are connected through technology, forming a web of connections instead of relying on a central authority.

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11
Q

What connects people in a network society?

A

Connections through technology like the internet and mobile phones.

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12
Q

How is a network society different from traditional societies?

A

Unlike traditional societies, a network society doesn’t have one central authority but is made up of interconnected networks.

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13
Q

What makes networks in a network society strong?

A

Networks in a network society are strong because they are flexible, scalable, and can adapt to changes.

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14
Q

What technology makes a network society possible?

A

Technology like the internet and mobile phones enables the formation of a network society.

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15
Q

What aspects does Webster propose for defining the information society?

A

Webster proposes six aspects: technological, economic, occupational, spatial, cultural, and theoretical knowledge/information.

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16
Q

Why aren’t the definitions of information society suitable?

A

Webster argues that these aspects, which mainly focus on quantity and quantitative measures, fail to capture the qualitative changes and deeper impacts of information on society. They overlook factors such as the content, sources, and uses of information, which are crucial for understanding the true nature of the information society.

17
Q

What does the technological aspect of the information society focus on?

A

It looks at how new technologies like computers and the internet change how we live and communicate.

18
Q

What does the economic aspect of the information society measure?

A

It measures how much money is made from activities related to information, like technology or education.

19
Q

What does the occupational aspect of the information society focus on?

A

It looks at the types of jobs people have and how they’ve changed, with more jobs involving working with information instead of physical tasks.

20
Q

What does the spatial aspect of the information society emphasize?

A

It focuses on how technology connects people and places globally, making the world feels smaller because we can talk to anyone and access information from anywhere.

21
Q

What does the cultural aspect of the information society examine?

A

It looks at how information and technology influence our culture, like how information affects what we think, believe, and do in society.

22
Q

What does the theoretical knowledge/information aspect of the information society emphasize?

A

It’s about how we’re relying more on ideas and knowledge to do things in our daily lives, like using science to solve problems or making decisions based on information we find online.

23
Q

What are the similarities and the differences between van Dijk’s and Castells’ theories of Network Society?

A

Similarities:

Both Van Dijk and Castells agree that networks (like social media) are really important in today’s world. They both say that technology plays a big role in how we interact and organize ourselves.

Differences:

  • Van Dijk thinks that people and organizations are the most important parts of society, while Castells says that networks themselves are the most important.
  • Castells talks a lot about who has power in these networks, while Van Dijk focuses more on how things are organized within them.
  • Some people think Van Dijk doesn’t pay enough attention to individual people, while Castells does.
24
Q

How does van Dijk describe networks, and what is their relevance in the organization of contemporary society?

A

Van Dijk sees networks as connections between people and groups, made possible by technology like the internet. These connections are super important in today’s world because they let us communicate, share information, and work together more easily. They change how organizations are structured, give individuals more power, influence our culture, and drive new technology. In short, networks are like the glue holding our modern society together.

25
Q

What is “space of flows”?

A

The “space of flows” is like a huge web where information, money, and influence can travel instantly around the world. It’s all about how interconnected our world is today. Instead of being limited by physical distance, things can happen simultaneously across the globe thanks to technology.

26
Q

What is “timeless time”?

A

“Timeless time” refers to the way technology has changed our experience of time, making everything feel immediate and interconnected. It’s like traditional time boundaries are fading away, and events seem to happen all at once, without a clear sequence.

27
Q

Articulated relations

A

The connections between people and groups are becoming more important that the individuals or groups themselves.

28
Q

Substantial relations

A

Even though we are connected online, our relationships are still influenced by our real-world surroundings and limitations.

29
Q

Direct relations

A

We’re able to connect with others more directly even across large distances, thanks to technology, increased mobility, connectivity, and the internet, making the world feel smaller.

30
Q

Online and offline relations linked

A

Both online and face-to-face interactions are important, and they often work together rather than one replacing the other.

31
Q

Self-referential media relations

A

When media talk about themselves and their role in society, which can be partial and affect how we see the world.

32
Q

Interactive relations

A

Communication is more interactive and decentralized now, with a shift from producer to user and where our choices can affect the supply and users become producers.

33
Q

Highly organized relations

A

Networks are organized systems that combine centralization and decentralization, openness and “closedness”, scale extension and scale reduction.

34
Q

Coded relations

A

All relations in the network society are programmed and coded, like privacy settings on social media (define personal autonomy and privacy).

35
Q

Selective and exclusive relations

A

Some people and groups have more access, skills and influence in networks, leading to inequality.

36
Q

Insecure relations

A

The use of media networks makes social relations vulnerable, technically, and social-psychologically. A lack of trust, commitment and richness of information can make network communication insecure.