In reflecting my thoughts about the societal and cultural transformation by digital and media technology, I am instantly reminded of my first e-mail account-making in the fourth grade which was created by the help of some older peers in my school`s computer class. It must have been quite an event in my childhood, as I still distinctly remember the day.
Now, creating new accounts and actively participating in various social environments on the internet on a daily basis is self-evident. As Tapscott and Williams suggest about socialising in the new 2.0 :‘Whether people are creating, sharing or socializing, the new Web is principally about participating rather than about passively receiving information’ (2006; as sited in Harrison & Barthel 2009). We are actively participating and creating our own environmets and socialising within them. Digital environments, rather than just assisting our interactions with each other, such as Facebook, Twitter, Skype and Google mail, are beginning to replace our conventional interaction means. In that process, face-to-face conversations, which is commonly referred to actual physical contact might now also refer to a conversation via Skype. Although these changes are mostly welcomed and make our work and leisure time coordination easier, I find it alarming how conventional meetings and interactions are done more and more via network applications, marginalising the importance of traditional communication.
In addition, another factor, which was also reflected in Marika Lüders` (2008) writing, examined the blurred line between personal media and mass media. I have also pondered how, for example blogs, are aimed at different audiences and how people from every corner of the world may see others` “personal writings”. Some which have become even so popular that might receive more daily viewings than another online newspaper.
Another example for blurred lines for mass media and personal media use in network interactions is the tweeting environment of “Twitter”. I am still surprised how high authorities of countries, such as Estonian and American presidents are active participants in Twitter in which they may advertise their election campaigns as well as express their thoughts, as if they were our close neighbours or relatives.
As for my personal experience, I am no exception to the influence of digital environments and I also admit that i could not imagine my day without internet access because most of the discussions about school assignments and chats with close friends are made in Facebook. Also, living far from my family and relatives, all the updates of our lives are posted to our Facebook Family group. If there is a need for a group conversation or the previously mentioned “face-to-face” conversation Skype is being used.
Even if meeting new people, the essential question does not have to be “What is your phone number?” anymore, when there is a possibility to ask “What is your Skype username?” or just say “I will add you on Facebook”.
Used literature:
Harrison, T. M., & Barthel, B. (2009). Wielding new media in Web 2.0: exploring the history of engagement with the collaborative construction of media products. New Media & Society. Vol 11. 160. Web
Luders, M. (2008). Conceptualizing personal media. New Media & Society. Vol 10. Web
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