The first reading by Beldad et al. (2011) proposed a theoretical framework for personal information-related behaviors on the Internet. There was a lot of good information in this article, however, to shorten my discussion, I would like to just discuss the idea of social exchange. This article discusses how individuals may trade their personal information for other benefits. That is, an individual may give up some of his or her privacy to gain a monetary reward, or some other type of reward such as group membership on a social media site such as Facebook. I found it interesting to consider our private information as a type of currency that can be used to purchase tangibles and intangibles. The second reading also discussed this idea when describing how Google is attempting to shift the responsibility of privacy over to the users. Although, I agree that that our information is just that, it is ours. I fear that we often hand it over without even realizing what is at stake. As discussed in some of the readings, even if the privacy statements are read in full, how many of us completely understand them? Also, can we really trust these companies with our information? It seems that this loss of privacy may be a cost of participating in the network.
Finally, the last three readings discussed the distinction between the public and the private. Ford (2011) started off the discussion by describing the times that we live in, and how we are currently seeing a break down of the barrier between the public and the private. Although the public/private divide has often been treated as a dichotomy, Ford argues that this view must change to better reflect this barrier break down previously mentioned. She goes on to give examples of how technology has helped to blur the divide between the public/private. For example, she discussed how some individuals have actually turned much of their own life into a public show by using webcams to broadcast themselves online. After discussing many other examples, Ford attempts to reconceptualize the public and the private by proposing a continuum that “is anchored on one end by the ‘private’ and on the other by the ‘public’.” Ford goes on to declare that “between the purely private and the purely public there exist an infinite and infinitely variable number of configurations that fall somewhere between” the public and private distinctions.
Although, Ford makes a good case for a public/private continuum, not everyone has bought into this idea. Shortly after Ford’s article, Jurgenson and Rey (2012) published a comment on this proposed continuum. In fact, Jurgenson and Rey discuss how Ford did not break far enough away from the traditional idea of the public/private distinction. They argue that privacy and publicity may “be better understood as a dialectic.” That is, they view privacy as implying publicity and vice versa. They go on to discuss how posting a picture online makes it public, but that this implies the private by not displaying the whole story. For example, individuals viewing the photo may not know who took it, where it was taken, or what the photographer chose not to photograph. In short, this dialectic view describes how publicity can reinforce privacy and the other way around.
In a response by Ford (2012) to the comments of Jurgenson and Rey, Ford states that her recent research has further strengthened her continuum argument. She goes on to explain in greater detail how her continuum may better explain some of the public/private examples discussed in Jurgenson and Rey’s article. For example, Ford discusses how the act of ‘white walling’ can be better understood within her continuum view. She describes how once information has been made public, but is then deleted, there is no guarantee that the information is completely private. This information may have already been viewed and even copied. She argues that this “deleted content exists in the liminal space between the truly public and the truly private.” To be fair, I can somewhat see both sides. However, I would probably side with Ford’s continuum model.
Beldad, A., de Jong, M., & Steehouder, M. (2011). A comprehensive theoretical framework for personal information-related behaviors on the internet. The Information Society, 27, 220-232.
Bodle, R. (2011). Privacy and participation in the cloud: Ethical implications of Google’s privacy practices and public communications. In B. E. Drushel & K. German (Eds.), The ethics of emerging media: Information, social norms, and new media technology (pp. 155-174). New York: Continuum.
Ford, S. M. (2011). Reconceptualizing the public/private distinction in the age of information technology. Information, Communication & Society, 14, 550-567.
Ford, S. M. (2012). Response to Jurgenson and Rey. Information, Communication & Society, 15, 294- 296.
Jurgenson, N., & Rey, P. J. (2012). Comment on Sarah Ford’s ‘Reconceptualization of privacy and publicity’. Information, Communication & Society, 15, 287-293.
The idea of “white walling” is interesting to me both as a new term to describe an activity I have hitherto observed without name, but also as an indicator of active identity grooming and identity obfuscation. Ford’s examples of Anthony Weiner and Chris Lee, though relevant, are(were) very public individuals outside of their Internet personas. Though Ford is right that it only takes one person to see a miscalculated post, citing Failbook as an archive of more everyday citizens, there are many people who constantly and consistently juggle their representations without being noticed. And even if noticed, the identity editing is forgotten by what observers these less-public individuals may have.
The idea of “white walling” is interesting to me as well. However, I am curious as to whether or not white walling alienates one’s friends.
Social exchange is a rather interesting concept. Even myself is doing it to gain something in an exchange my personal information. While I am sincerely hoe that the companies will respect my information, I still cannot get over the crappy feeling that companies will sell and use my information to gain benefits. In that sense, maybe we do not really have any privacy at all.
I found this blog post very informative and insightful. I agree with the author that new media is changing the way we communicate and interact with each other. I especially liked the examples of how new media can be used for social good, such as raising awareness, mobilizing action, and creating communities.
One of the challenges of new media, however, is how to ensure its quality and reliability. There are so many sources of information online, but not all of them are trustworthy or accurate. That’s why I always use CloudShape, a platform that helps me filter and organize the information I need. CloudShape is a great tool for anyone who wants to stay updated and informed about the topics they care about. You can check it out here: https://cloudshape.net/
I found your blog post about new media to be quite interesting, especially the discussion about its impact on society and communication. However, I have a question that wasn’t addressed in your post: How do you see the role of new media evolving in the context of global cybersecurity challenges?
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I found your post on new media quite insightful, and it’s evident that you’ve delved into various aspects of the topic. However, I’m curious about the ethical considerations surrounding the use of new media, especially when it comes to the dissemination of information and potential misinformation. What are your thoughts on this? How can individuals and institutions navigate these ethical challenges effectively in the digital age?
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I found this blog post about new media quite interesting, especially considering how rapidly the digital landscape evolves. One question that comes to mind, which wasn’t covered in the post, is how new media trends can impact traditional forms of media like print newspapers or television. Have you come across any insights or examples of how traditional media is adapting or evolving in response to the rise of new media?
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I found your blog post about new media quite informative, especially the part about digital storytelling. It’s fascinating how technology has transformed the way we share stories and information. As someone interested in this field, I was wondering if you have any favorite examples of innovative digital storytelling campaigns or projects that have caught your attention?
Moreover, you mentioned promoting https://prcrehab.org/, and I’m curious to know more about your connection to this organization and the work they do. Can you share some insights into how they are making an impact, and how readers can support their mission?
Hello! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your insights on new media in your blog post. It’s evident that you have a deep understanding of the subject, and your thoughts on the evolving landscape of media are quite insightful.
As I was reading, I couldn’t help but wonder about the role of new media in fostering collaboration and community engagement. Have you come across any instances where new media has played a significant role in bringing people together or facilitating meaningful interactions?
On a related note, considering the dynamic nature of new media, have you ever explored MasterClass Collective to stay updated on the latest trends and skills in the digital space? The platform seems like a valuable resource for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving world of media and technology.
I’m also curious if there are any specific MasterClass courses that align with your interests or if you have recommendations based on your own exploration of the platform.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and I’m excited to hear more about your perspectives on the collaborative aspects of new media and your experiences with platforms like MasterClass Collective!
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