As I first entered the course, I knew nothing of the beginnings of the internet. The ideas of ancient technologies were vague and seemed irrelevant. However, seeing the vast changes in a relatively short amount of time has led to a better understanding of our relationship with technology. Our development proves the co-constructive power between us. We continually attempt to create new platforms to fulfill our needs.
I enjoyed the examples of people utilizing their networks to make change. Whether it is social support, a feeling of acceptance, rallying around a cause – these new groups enables us to find connections and purpose that we might have previously abandoned. I never thought much of group formation online, dismissing it as leisurely activities. I never gave much consideration to the involvement and changes that can develop through online interaction. Online interaction also impacts our perception of the world around us. It can provide information and entertainment, fuel our passions, increase understanding, give us hope for humanity, and provide us with the opportunity to enrich our lives. I assumed we were careful in our self-presentation, but never considered the countless ways we can cultivate and express our individual personality. We are emerging from a world of distance, divisions, and fear as we enter a new era ripe with potential. The internet provides an empowering social space for people to come together, form bonds and develop a sense of community beyond precedent.
This course has made me realize that these technologies do not regulate our lives, or inherently cause harm or good. As we choose to accept, adopt and incorporate the technologies, we transform our behaviors. They provide the power to enhance our communication power, expand our reach, and diversify networks.
My overall impression is that we, as people, are at the root. We aren’t subservient to the technology around us; we have a degree of autonomy and freedom. Though technological immersion may impact our behavioral patterns and have some social implications, it also opens other doors to opportunity. There will be trade-offs, but there is still hope for people to flourish.
I think the most interesting current research is on impressions and adoption. I will be curious to see future research on digital natives and how youth that develop with technology utilize technologies to enhance productivity and create new social experiences.
I agree with you that technology empowers us to make a change in the world! I also used to think of social networking as merely a waste of time, but this class has caused me to take a step back and realize that many of my friends are using their profiles as a way to broadcast issues to the world. I have learned about so many movements and problems from social networking, and it is so neat to see these tools be used to accomplish something.
Yeah, I didn’t know much past the popular SNS sites and basic uses such as email, IM, etc. but I was exposed to many different uses through this class. I never gave much thought to groups either; I never thought they were as popular as this course revealed. That was really interesting. I agree that technology enhances communication power when an individual uses them to satisfy their unique needs. I agree that technology opens doors for greater opportunities.
This class has been really enjoyable for numerous reasons. One point of rationale for my statement is that the class showed me that the internet is not as heartless as I originally thought. In fact, some members of online communities helped others through difficult times, like the loss of family or being the recipient of a negative medical diagnosis. Another reason is like you stated, that these forms of technology help people to flourish. Learning about other people’s ways of life can lend to better understanding of different groups.
I would agree that CMC and SNS have positives but they also have potential problems. This class pointed out both the pros and cons making this a well rounded look into communicating on the internet.