Facebook is just another word for Democracy!

When overlooking the four main critiques of information technology I found that in some way or another, all four could be discussed in regards to social networking. However, I thought, who best to discuss the social implications of information technology and its relationship with democracy then Habermas. I have recently started to question where democracy stands in our society, but I looked no further then the world wide web, specifically in this case, towards social networking. Such an example is Facebook. The more I thought about it the more it made sense that democracy would be evident online because who controls the internet? No one! Facebook, is an excellent example of how democracy is currently working its magic in society. It is a tool and medium for free speech, public opinions, and diversity. It stands strong because it encourages individuals from all over the world to communicate with one another in any written, or visual form they desire. Not only do I believe social networking correlates to democracy and our public sphere, but I think it is an evident example of Habermas’s notion of a lifeworld sphere and system sphere. His lifeworld sphere focuses on values and meaningful relationships, whereas, his system sphere focuses on the control of space created by technology. Facebook is the best of both worlds. Physically, if we looked at its appearance to define what it is, one might say: it is a page on a screen with words, colours, pictures, designs, text, that is controlled by YOU, where you can add, pictures, comments, objects, thoughts, groups, contacts, and even POKE people. It is amazing that all this is done through a click of a mouse, even more so, this set up and network is constructed and controlled by technology. So the physical dynamics relate to a system sphere, in which social networks rely on technology to continue providing this democratic experience for society. On the other hand, Social networking also relates to Habermas’ life world sphere because people can write and post diverse and unique thoughts, pictures, and comments. Society can express their emotions, beliefs, values and so forth allowing others to relate and feel their pain, happiness, emotions, etc. By doing this, social networking creates social and meaningful relationships with one another. Overall, I feel that social networking is a system meant to increase and expand our democratic society, as other forms of news, and public opinion are being bombarded by corporations and government politics. The internet allows a free space for anyone from anywhere to speak their mind. You, the user have control and access to what you want to say, who you want to see it and how far you want to take it. Does anyone might suggest a better critique of information society that might better explain social networking?


I found a blog that blogs about Facebook:
http://mcs370.wordpress.com/

I found a posting on facebook just on democracy:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Unlock-Democracy/6574632957

Facebook: Profitable Communication

Personally, I think the concept of social networking has excellent intentions. I am not one to deny that I am hooked on Facebook. I was totally against it at first, but now I check it constantly. I mean, it only makes sense that in an information society we, as users reap the benefits of rapid, accessible, and quantifiable information. What kind of new society would we be if we did not use cell phones, blackberries, Facebook, and other gizmo and gadgets? I seriously cannot imagine a world without them. Can you? In any case, I feel that Facebook has created other potentials than just communicating, it also has created a potential for economic growth, and power, yet I am not sure if this should be praised or condemned?

This notion all began the other day when I was on Facebook (big surprise there).I noticed one of my friends started an online business and distributes his product by advertising it on Facebook. He sends out messages to everyone about his next shipment of clothing . He advertised his page with pictures of his product, and as I was clicking my way through them, it hit me, Wow! What an excellent way for a young entrepreneur to start a business. But then as I continued staring at these hideous articles of clothing, I noticed on the side of the webpage there were more advertisements, but this time it was not for ugly clothing. It was for corporate giants such as Starbucks, trying to recruit employees for the West End. I then realized that my personal profile was a gimmick for selling and advertising businesses, it was being invaded by profitable schemers. Really, in this day and age, work and ads are not only brought into the home, but have now entered a type of public sphere such as a personal blog, profile and other social networks that were intended to create and share meaningful experiences and relationships with one another. Businesses and marketers are now creeping in on a source of democracy. In some sense it helps developing businesses, but on the other hand it defeats the values and intent of social networking and benefits marketers. I do not know whether to call this genius, or just plain old wrong?

Here are some links on related topics regarding Facebook and Advertising:
http://www.insidefacebook.com/2008/07/28/facebook-for-business-what-it-needs-what-it-has/

http://www.rantsnreviews.com/2007/11/beware-facebook-new-advertising-scheme_22.html

Facebooking has demolished "Face to Face"

Facebook is a social network where friends, family, and strangers can communicate. It provides its users with an easy, user friendly medium to transport information rapidly, all over the globe. It decreases the time in which users respond and recieve messages, but does it decrease space? It eliminates a barrier between two people, but as a society does it not distance us more? Marshall Mcluhan finds problems with new media; this being one of them. The issue is that society is increasing emotional, and physical barriers between one another through online networks. We lose the realism in communicating and the face to face experience with one another.

Speal about me!

Hi,

My name is Jenna and I am currently a student at Capilano U. I am in my third year, and last semester at Cap, enrolled in the communications program. I am taking CMNS 253 because it is a required course, however, I hope to gain a better insight at our society and how technology and new media play such a large role on our actions, decisions, and beliefs. I have chosen to examine Social networking (online communication), and IM (specifically regarding MSN and mobile messaging). I intend to focus on social groups such as Facebook, and MSN mainly because I use them in my everday life to communicate with people.

The emergence of instant communication (ie: text messaging) has brought an abrupt change in the structure of the written language, for example, phrases, words, abbrievations have all been altered due to the new" slang". Do you think that instant messaging is advancing our society by diminishing the "time" in which we communicate, even though it has completely altered the written word.