The internet provides an avenue of communication regardless where you are located. It allows information access to be at our finger tips. This week research showed that people who interact in groups over the internet are more civil. Rainie, Purcell and Smith (2011) study provided a breakdown how different people based on gender, race and sex all fit into different groups. Jansen’s study focused on how people different who use technology fit into the religious groups. Both articles discuss the positive effects of coming together in a group to bring about a change and good within communities.
Civic engagement relates to social capital because the development and participation within group over the internet will bridge and bond people together. It allows people to connect with new people and come together for the great good. The articles informed this week that people are more likely to be involved or at least have access to more than one group therefore they have the ability to engage in civic networking. Facebook, Twitter and other SNS sites are just the start of where positive things can be posted. For example different church groups or groups in general can post community service events and although someone may not be a part of the group because they have access it would give them the option to take part in making someone else happy or just being civil. There for if bridging and bonding where to occur as a domino effect over the internet we would hear about more good things happening in communities instead of all the negative.
I am curious to learn more about this new “Facebook Home” I don’t understand it, primarily because I don’t know what it really means. I log into Facebook at home so how can this be enhanced? I think we will start to see SNS’s like Facebook try to reinvent their wheel and it will be interesting to see how successful/new the feature really is. I brought this up because you mention that sites like Facebook & Twitter are the start of where positive things can be posted. I think that Facebook’s marketing is trying to drive for stronger ties and community by adding the word HOME. What do you think?
I totally agree if the add more intriguing word which draws people attention it will attract people to either start using or continue using their site. This would lead to more connection and bonding.
That’s a very interesting point. I think they are doing the same thing in trying to add options for sharing “Life Events” on user’s walls. For instance, I can tell everyone when I got new glasses or broke a bone. This might seem silly, but perhaps it is their honest attempt to make Facebook a place where we can share meaningful memories with those we care about, and make it a place where we remember them.
I agree with how you defined civic engagement. The potential of people uniting for the greater good is definitely worthy of discussion. Whether it’s church groups wanting to save more people or game-based communities wanting to spread the news about a new system, these types of sites help more and more people to realize their goal. Unfortunately, not everyone joins these sites for beneficial purposes. Some simply plan on using the site to spread rumors about other individuals that have done them wrong over the years. As in “real life”, these are positive and negative aspects of these communities. The results of these actions can be horrific, so people must be cautious as to what they post.
I can definitely attest to it helping church groups advertise for things going on in the community. I can definitely see an increase in the number of people attending events as the popularity of the internet increases. It’s just way easier getting information out through social networking sites and also the access each of us has to our different networks allows us to reach a more diverse group of people.
I aslo think developers of SNS and CMC are trying to connect people with real life social interaction with online communication tools like Facebook or twitter. It makes me think of the app layer for android where if you hold the phone in the air and spin in a circle you can virtually see the live tweets around you.
I agree that social networking sites have definitely made it easier for people to join multiple groups. Instead of just joining one or two, the internet makes it possible for us to join multiple.