The Digital Revolution, Global Village And Virtual Community

Question 1

Define digital revolution

Answer 1

The transformation that digital technology has made to society particularly, particularly in the ways we communicate and how information is stored and shared

Question 2

Four technological trends that have led to digital Revolution

Answer 2

• constant improvement in the capabilities of computers and the decline in costs
• information stored as digital data
• satellite communication
• fibre optics

Question 3

2 categories of ‘new media’

Answer 3

New forms of digital communication are known as ‘digital media’ that form 2 categories:

• the extension and development of existing media (e.g. digital newspapers, online banking)
• new forms of plate form exist e.g. mobile phone apps like managing diet apps

Question 4

Define global village

Answer 4

The global village is term used by Mc Luhan.
The terms describes the world as one interconnected community, whose population all experience the same things, it has become easier to communicate globally

McLuhan describes how electronic mass media collapses space and time barriers in human communication

Question 5

Ad and DISAD of global village

Answer 5

Ad: easier to communicate, trends can spread

DISAD: loss of face to face connections and interactions, promotes laziness (e.g. work from home, no effort to go outside and meet people)

Question 6

Define virtual community
E.g.

Answer 6

• social network of individuals who create an online community
• this community crosses geographical, and social lines
• these communities allows people to share their interests and transform their identities

Example of virtual communities:
- online chat rooms
- social media’s e.g. face book, twitter

Question 7

Howard Rheingold (2000) The virtual community

Answer 7

• he defines them as ‘webs of personal relationships in cyber-space’

He states that it allows people across the world to engage in open public discussions and also private messages to exchange information

However on a negative point, he states that it can be dominated by business cooperation who see members of virtual communities as commodities

Question 8

Ad and DISAD of virtual communities

Answer 8

Ad: can make new virtual friends, culture, norm and values can be spread

DISAD: can get toxic (e.g. disagreements), cyber bullying which is bad for mental health, catfishing, cyber crime,