l13 : impact of digital communication on culture - conflict and change

Question 1

how can digital communication lead to cultural homogenisation?

Answer 1

developed world have greatest use of internet therefore use dc the most. so majority of info written online is in english, so many ideas driven by english speaking, western cultural views. western culture threatens to dominate over other cultures, creating one culture

Question 2

what is the “facebook effect” by kirkpatrick?

Answer 2

the ability of people being able to mobilise change and social movements using dc

Question 3

what is an example of the “facebook effect”?

Answer 3

catalyst movement on facebook in colombia which mobilised 10million people in street protests to reduce the violence and kidnapping done by the revolutionary armed forces in colombia

Question 4

how is digital communication able to mobilise change and social movements?

Answer 4

1. immediate communication with others can warn / prepare them for occurences
2. info can reach huge number of people instantly
3. info about sensitive topics can be shared
4. groups that are usually unable to speak or act out through conventional means are able to speak to wide range of people through dc eg. women in syria
5. news about events that is inaccurate or biased ccan be actively challenged and critiqued
6. dc offers way to speak out possibly despite suppressed political activism

Question 5

what is castells “a civil society” approach?

Answer 5

used to explain how people no longer express political and social concerns through hierarchy/bureaucratic organisations like gov. now organise digital networks of like-minded people who share info on concerns. is an alternative source of political power that can challenge the state and economic market

Question 6

how has twitter impacted conflict and change?

Answer 6

shapes aspects of peoples political, social and economic lives eg. help protest movements in ny and ldn in 2011 (occupy protests)

Question 7

why is there concern with the link of religious fundamentalism and digital communication?

Answer 7

ISIS are a religious fundamentalist group and their activity has been linked to an increased use of dc

Question 8

how has digital communication affected conflict and change in the middle-east?

Answer 8

• facebook used in egypt to schedule public protests, twitter was used to co ordinate the protests, and youtube used to show reactions
• global networks helped arab people overcome fears and protests
• internet activism made political action easier, faster and more universal and helped to remove the totalitarian dictatorship

Question 9

what are the five characteristics of the homogenised culture that digital communication is creating?

Answer 9

western culture dominates other cultures, creating one culture that is characterised by world view of :
1. capitalist ideology - specific economic system whereby there is distinct ruling class who extract profit for workers
2. patriarchal ideology - set of ideas which support view that men dominate over women in all areas of life
3. consumerism - peoples identities shaped by purchasing expensive luxury items often romanticised online
4. secular ideas - western society focuses on secularisation and rational scientific world view compared to other parts of world
5. increased individualism - increased emphasis on individual wishes and priorities over societal or communal expectations

Question 10

give six negative evaluation points for the impact of digital communication on culture

Answer 10

1. 90% of those who live in poorest 48 countries dont have access to internet, so impact of dc can be questioned because not everyone has access to internet, which is cultural issue in itself (west vs east). cultural homogenisation not a thing then?
2. martell argues that dc gives false impression of more power being given but digital corporations actually continue to exercise greater power than society. power concentrated in very few hands
3. martell argues that internet is revolutionary but does not have revolutionary impact on culture or political life, merely helps to transmit info and messages quickly
4. keen argues dc doesnt have power to change world. internet too chaotic to bring social change. facebook and blogging dont contribute to democratic processes as often used for shameless self promotion. twitter often unchecked and full of uninformed opinions, lies, trolling rather than political analysis and expertise
5. hader stated power of twitter to change world is exaggerated and cannot have cultural impact