People on the net. Can the internet can our culture and world view?

Exposé (fiche) , 2001 , 28 Pages

Pédagogie - Pédagogie des médias

In the mid-’60s Marshall McLuhan wrote that: “Due to the spreading of the electrical speed, we no longer have time to wait to see anyone.” (McLuhan 1999:151) Towards the end of the ’90s, a new resident of a detached housing estate in the Silicon Valley neighbourhood, inhabited by employees of a large, advanced technology corporation invites his neighbours to a barbecue. And he hears in reply :“Why don’t we just exchange emails?” “The e-generation Manifesto” published on the Internet just before the end of the 20th century ends in the following words: “It does not matter who we are, what we look like, where we come from — what matters is only what we think and what we have to say” (Manifest 2000).
The emergence and rapid growth of the Internet is equally a technological, political, economical, and a social issue: an IT specialist, a political scientist, or a trade and advertising expert are equally knowledgeable here as scholars: sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists, philosophers and historians of art. This is caused by the fact that the Net creates a new communication environment at the macro- and micro-community level, and in interpersonal relations. Although the Net communication model is a fundamentally new phenomenon, and one which had been practically unknown to people before the end of the ’80s, it emerged in a space occupied by old models, founded on oral culture categories, and later on categories of literate culture, in its manual and typographic versions (Ong 1992), and eventually on message/electronic transmission culture paradigms (McLuhan 1975). Therefore, the Internet is becoming a special “transition field” for different communication models – towards models which are not yet fully recognisable and which philosophers of culture view with great concern now (Lem 2000). Some appreciate the advantages of the Internet as a way to overcome the temporality of communicating in writing, whereas others notice that stripping written messages of their temporal dimension amounts to attacking the traditional, “aristocratic” superiority of that communication form over the “plebeian” direct contact, i.e. oral contact.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Enthusiasts and sceptics
• Internet and real life communities
• The identity problem
• The digital “Me”, the digital “Him”
• The reality conflict
• Space, time, freedom
• Entertainment on the Net
• Net-escapism
• Apologia for childishness
• “Screen-agers”: ageing with the screen
• The screen alliance
• Questions instead of conclusions

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This work examines the impact of the internet on culture and ideology, exploring the debates and challenges arising from its rapid adoption. It analyzes the internet's influence on communication, social structures, and individual identities. The author delves into the potential benefits and pitfalls of this new communication environment, drawing on diverse perspectives from sociology, anthropology, psychology, and philosophy.

• The evolving landscape of communication models in the digital age
• The impact of the internet on social structures and communities
• The interplay between individual identity and the digital realm
• The globalisation of information and its implications for various societies
• The role of the internet in shaping cultural landscapes and ideologies

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Enthusiasts and sceptics: This chapter introduces the initial debates surrounding the internet's emergence, highlighting the optimistic and pessimistic perspectives on its potential impact. It explores contrasting views on the internet's ability to foster democratic communities versus its role in creating a homogenized "heap culture."
• Internet and real life communities: This chapter delves into the internet's effects on existing social structures, discussing the rise of virtual communities and their interaction with traditional communities. It explores the concept of "glocal communities" as a potential way to reconcile global and local identities.
• The identity problem: This chapter focuses on the impact of the internet on individual identities, exploring the formation of "digital selves" and the potential conflicts arising from navigating both virtual and real-world identities.
• The digital “Me”, the digital “Him”: This chapter deepens the discussion of identity in the digital age, analyzing the ways in which the internet shapes perceptions of self and others. It considers the influence of online interactions on how we present ourselves and interact with the world.
• The reality conflict: This chapter investigates the tension between the virtual and the real, analyzing how the internet blurs the lines between online and offline experiences. It explores the potential for escapism and the challenges of maintaining a balanced relationship with the digital realm.
• Space, time, freedom: This chapter examines the internet's influence on our perception of space and time, exploring the concepts of virtual freedom and the possibilities for transcending physical limitations. It discusses the implications of this newfound flexibility for communication, work, and leisure.
• Entertainment on the Net: This chapter focuses on the entertainment aspect of the internet, analyzing the diverse forms of online entertainment and their impact on cultural consumption patterns. It explores the implications of this shift in entertainment media for both individuals and society.
• Net-escapism: This chapter delves into the darker side of internet use, analyzing the potential for addiction and escapism in the online world. It examines the psychological factors contributing to excessive internet use and the potential consequences for individuals and relationships.
• Apologia for childishness: This chapter explores the intersection of childhood and the internet, analyzing the ways in which online spaces cater to and sometimes exploit youthful interests. It considers the potential for both positive and negative influences on young people's development and socialization.
• “Screen-agers”: ageing with the screen: This chapter examines the long-term impact of the internet on aging populations, exploring the ways in which the digital world shapes the experiences of older generations. It analyzes the potential for both inclusion and exclusion in the digital age, as well as the implications for social connections and cognitive development.
• The screen alliance: This chapter delves into the social and political implications of the internet, exploring the ways in which the online world fosters alliances and communities based on shared interests and values. It considers the potential for both positive and negative forms of collective action in the digital age.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The book explores the multifaceted impact of the internet on culture and ideology, focusing on themes like communication models, social structures, individual identities, globalisation, and the digital divide. Key concepts include "glocal communities", "digital selves", "screen-agers", "virtual freedom", and the "heap culture".

• Université: Pedagogical University of Cracow (Polish Philology)
• Auteur: Zbigniew Bauer (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2001
• Pages: 28
• N° de catalogue: V10016
• ISBN (ebook): 9783638165815
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: People