see more Lolcats and funny pictures
http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/10/07/funny-pictures-crashed/
This week’s session was a broad overview of the concept of networks, and the way they help us connect and form relationships. The first thing that comes to mind is the internet and social networks like Facebook and MySpace that connect people online. However, in many developing nations, there is less access to the internet and more to a mobile network. This technology allows people to be connected through calls and text messaging. In fact that is the idea behind many of the new initiatives in nations like South Africa. One such initiative is the MYMsta by LoveLife. It is a text messaging program that imitates social networking forums, but via cell phones. Teens are able to keeps a profile, connect to others and learn about sexual heath.
I think this is a great example of an informal network, made possible by LoveLife. Young people can get together in a virtual world, with today’s communications technologies. This truely embraces the idea of a network, both as the technology and as a concept. The two are definitely linked; it is possible that a smaller network of teens may be able to form a community without the text message program, but with it, it is much easier to engage in discussion and participate in the community. How we relate has been enabled by technology.
To learn more about LoveLife, visit http://www.lovelife.org.za/media/mymsta.php
David Singh, in the article “Network Power: The Social Dynamics of Globalization” (page 2) says that concept of network contains two basic ideas, “group of people who are interested in coordinating with one another” and the idea of standard, which is certain types of terms on which members of this network can communicate. A standard can be a language, it can be a system of rules governing trade, etc.”.
ReplyDeleteUnder the perspective of these two concepts, we can see that facebook and My Space –even that they are just a social network- definitely are the way for many people to start the game of being part of globalization because they are coordinating activities via new global standards, as Singh said, and eventually became a 'network power'.
It is so interesting!!! Like never before!! The role of the few ones –Hearst type and so on- is even bigger now with the technology! Or, on the contrary, the millions of new actors are relevant enough to be considered as relevant to craft policies, public sphere, public opinion and social change like never before!!!