Concepts / Impact Of Digital Communication On Identites

Question 1

Castells - Information Age

Answer 1

Claims that new information technologies have not only transformed the technology of communication but have brought about a new age , within which these new technologies are organising logic and principles. He states that the world has shifted from industrialism to post industrialism into informationalism - not mechanical informational - rapid and dramatic impact on everyday relationships

Question 2

Ourworldindata.org

Answer 2

Shows that there is till inequality , although access to mobile phones is now global , there is still inequality - evidence of a global digital divide - 93% of the UK accessing internet compared to 3.8% in the Democratic of Congo - huge digital revolution globally

Question 3

Goffman

Answer 3

Presentation of self - useful in understanding how we present ourselves online although he wrote long before digital communication - analyses how individuals perform in order to project a desirable image - virtual identities might be just as real to users as non virtual identities- avatar can be seen as a mask

Question 4

Ellison - identity

Answer 4

Suggests that individuals can adopt multiple online personalities and online activities often leave visible traces which can be captured , tracked , packaged and shared - impact on people’s offline lives in both negative and positive ways - what you post on instagram is different to what you post on Facebook

Question 5

Borlstroff - virtual communities

Answer 5

Second life - create characters and villages and a life online - explores characteristics - gender , race, money - avatars , profile pictures - change all aspects about yourself
Crimes being committed - lack of regulation
Code of behaviour and guidelines to adhere too

Question 6

Carter - virtual communities

Answer 6

Just another place to meet people with similar interests - chat rooms- connect - helps stay interconnected- counting online friendships offline - increasingly embedded in everyday life - people invest a lot of time on their cyber city friendships

Question 7

Digital social networks - friendship groups

Answer 7

Instagram and Snapchat - real time communication- using pictures to keep up to date - gossip , funny stuff , I message - helped with issues - if connected to WiFi

Question 8

Digital social networks - work networks

Answer 8

Facebook - networking - can extend professional networks - advertising
Linked In - develop professional profile - professional networks - reach out for new jobs - companies target workers - future opportunities - each to update

Question 9

Digital social networks - family networks

Answer 9

WhatsApp - group chats with family - reduces issues of space/ location - communicate more frequently

Question 10

Digital social networks - networks linked to hobbies , interests or religion

Answer 10

Pinterest - particularly used in creative professions - mood boards

Question 11

Boyle - Media convergence

Answer 11

States that previously separate forms of media can now be accessed through one device - also a range of media such as videos , text , images can all be stored and accessed on one website - social media profiles are also interlinked for example you can access your Facebook friends on instagram

Question 12

Giddens - globalisation

Answer 12

There has been a revival of local culture and local cultural identities- cultures are making stronger claims
Reverse colonialism - practices from non western societies are colonising the way things are done in western societies- resisting own cultures - examples - Latinos action of Loa Angles - different foods - tv channels , shows - accepting differences

Question 13

Friedman - globalisation has an American face

Answer 13

The world has a distinctly American face - McDonald’s , Coca Cola - these companies started in America and are quickly spreading around the world - due to culture and economics

Question 14

McLuhan - global village

Answer 14

Interconnected by an electronic nervous system - now information can be passed on electronically- moved at the speed of light - everybody lives in the upmost proximity created by our electric involvement I one another’s lives - globs has become entwines - world is becoming a smaller place - metaphorically

Question 15

Fair weather and Rogerson - cultural homogenisation

Answer 15

Computer software - not being localised
Advertising- by the west is broadcast on a global scale therefore presents ideas on what is desirable
Antisocial behaviour- on the internet can reflect western ideas about morality and deviances - racism , sexism and other forms of harassment
Digital communication does not give rules or police morality and ethics - occur in local cultures such as western views regarding liberalism