Week 2: Chapter 5 "Networked Relationships"

Trends have shown that social isolation has become alarming in American society. With internet usage, humans have become more comfortable with machines and less with humans. Moreover, the percentage of Americans with a friend as a confidant declined from 73% in 1984 to 51% in 2005. Because of internet use, the community is falling apart, leading people to lose contact with genuine in-person relationships as they become trapped in superficial online connections. 

There are several reasons why many commentators believe that ICTs cause social problems. However, there are flaws in the notion that the Internet is a separate medium:

• It assumes that people lead separate "virtual" lives distinct from their everyday real-world lives. However, this is rarely the case. Except for some intense gamers studied by Turkle, online and in-person interactions—and lives—are intertwined.
• It assumes that in-person encounters are the only meaningful form of social connection, overlooking that emails, text messages, Facebook posts, tweets, and similar forms of communication are everyday tools people routinely use to stay connected.
• It suggests the internet's ability to convey social cues is limited, potentially weakening relationships. However, online interactions usually involve familiar individuals, enhancing communication rather than replacing in-person contact.
• It misinterprets McLuhan's idea by mixing up the medium and the message. People don't mistake the Facebook screen for the person behind it, just like they don't confuse a telephone receiver with the person they're talking to. McLuhan's concept that "the media are extensions of man" fits better. When emailing our spouse or checking a friend's Facebook updates, we fully know who we communicate with. Research by Pew Internet, Toronto's NetLab, and other providers offer substantial evidence indicating that people possess extensive and beneficial networks. Although the Internet and Mobile Revolutions have influenced the dynamics of communities, they have altered rather than eradicated them for individuals within the networked operating system.

From Door-to-Door to Place-to-Place Networks   

Since World War II, there has been a transition from traditional village communities to the Internet and Mobile Revolutions era. The accessibility of cars, phones, and air travel has enabled "glocalization," fostering global and local connections. 

From Place-to-Place to Person-to-Person Networks        

This shift in networks has been facilitated by technological advancements and emphasizes individual autonomy in social interactions. People connect more as individuals than through traditional groups, leading to greater flexibility and reduced overall cohesion. This "networked individualism" places the responsibility of maintaining personal networks on individuals, who must constantly navigate diverse social connections. 

Networked Relationships On and Offline

The shift to person-to-person networks has blurred the lines between physical space and cyberspace, with technology seamlessly integrating into people's everyday lives. The Internet and mobile technologies have enhanced social connections, with evidence showing increased in-person and phone contact alongside Internet usage. While virtual friendships exist, they often require offline interaction to sustain. 

How Large Are Personal Networks?

Personal networks are larger than previously thought, challenging the idea of having only 2.1 close ties. Robin Dunbar's theory of a 150-member cognitive limit is reconsidered, with evidence showing larger network sizes consisting of concentric circles from close ties to acquaintances. 

Larger networks provide more social support, diverse information, and health benefits. Estimates show that Americans know hundreds of people, and online activity further expands networks. Despite variations in estimating techniques, these networks are dynamic, larger than assumed, and crucial for social and societal cohesion.

Increased internet usage correlates with larger, more diverse social networks and frequent interactions with friends. The internet and mobile phones contribute to and result from expanding networks, providing social support, information, and access to services. 

References: Rainie, H., & Wellman, B. (2012). Networked: The new social operating system (Vol. 10). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.