Special Edition Blog: "Networked" Reading Jigsaw Chapter 5

According to the fifth chapter of the text, Networked: The new social operating system (Rainie & Wellman, 2012), when you see someone sitting alone with a device (e.g., cellphone, laptop), the person is not alone. Most likely he or she is connected to at least one person (if not many) at that moment. We are all connected individuals with "Networked Relationships".

Photo by blondinrikard licensed under CC-BY

The chapter begins with the critics' argument against increased use of the internet; it is destroying communities by shifting people away from in-person interactions and into virtual ones. However, it is the main assertion of the chapter that the connection of an individual to his/her personal network is stronger due to the constant connection internet and mobile technology offers its users. Rainie and Wellman (2012) provide evidence demonstrating internet contact, in-person contact, and phone contact are additive (not diminishing) forms of communication. Digital communciation extends in-person activities; it doesn't replace them. Research shows people are actually more connected due to the increase in online communication, having both large and helpful networks. 

According to Rainie and Wellman, internet and mobile technology have transformed not destroyed community. They suggest a shift to viewing communities as "fluid personal networks, rather than as static neighborhood or family groups" (p. 122). Physical location plays a much smaller role in determining position within a personal network than in the traditional definitions. In a personal network the onus is now on the individual to maintain and manage the community (i.e., connections). The authors offer the visual image of an amoeba to describe a "networked self", with the nucleus of the amoeba representing the core members of the network and the changing pseudopods of the amoeba representing the different reconfigurations of the individual to the outer network connections.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pR7TNzJ_pA

The chapter discusses size and configurations of personal networks, stating the larger the personal network, the more diverse and supportive it is. Also, larger personal networks have a greater proportion of friends than smaller networks. However, the mixtures of personal networks are relatively the same - family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues - with different levels and types of connections. One measure used to determine the level of connection is "closeness", which is hard to define. Earlier research depended on the idea that "closeness" relied on whether a person "discussed important matters" with someone. "Closeness" means different things in different relationships and settings, and to different people. The connections in personal networks are often specialized, allowing for a greater variety of support. The authors discuss how social networking sites are powerful tools people depend on to manage their personal networks, with Facebook being the most popular and influential. They state Facebook "has become a personal portal embodying the networked individual" (p. 143).

So, what do you think? Does the internet pull people away from their connections or does it help strengthen connections? Is social media making us more connected or more alone?