As we join groups and social networks from affinity sites to Facebook, are we extending and expanding identities, or increasingly conforming to the cookie-cutter profiles demanded of these interfaces? Is the loss of "personal space" and "reflection" so many users complain of merely the necessary surrender of "ego" as we learn to participate as members of a more evolved "collective organism" of "hyper-people?"
whither, v.
1. To move with force or impetus, to rush; to make a rushing sound, to whizz; to bluster or rage, as the wind.
2. To tremble, shake, quiver.
3. To strike or beat forcibly; to throw violently.
Derivatives
whitherer n. a vigorous person or thing
(- Oxford English Dictionary)
This seems like harsh wording to describe the effects of social media sites and online groups on an individual, specifically definition three. The Internet is always in constant development. No matter what, people will always question where it is headed, and whether the direction of new innovation is beneficial for our society. But, by no means does it cause a loss of personal space and reflection. And by no means are we, as members of this quickly growing technological age, forced to conform to social norms. It’s a choice.
Social networking sites, like Facebook, are used to connect people. These sites almost seem like a way of life, just a normal part of the average person’s everyday itinerary. As stated by Douglas Rushkoff in the PBS Frontline episode entitled ‘Digital Nation,’ “In the end, what I feel like I discovered in looking at so many different people using these technologies is when push comes to shove, eventually people will use these technologies to find other people, to connect.”
On these sites where a profile is needed, the site usually provides a template almost for how the profile should look. However, there are ways of making a profile to fit your individual “style.” No loss of identity occurs, it’s just that conformity requires a kind of sameness.
The Internet really is a part of life now. “I think the other thing people aren’t quite realizing is that the Internet really changed from this thing that you do to a way that you are,” Rushkoff also stated. “In other words, we have gone from logging in to always on. And when you’re always on, where are you not? That’s sort of where it gets strange and interesting. But how many people actually have the ability to unplug?”
With the number of people that use these sites, social consequences are almost inevitable. But extreme cases should not be applied to the virtual community as a whole. These extreme cases are what the users who complain about the loss of personal space and reflection see. These are the stories that stick with people.
This may be why the book The Dumbest Generation, authored by Mark Bauerlein, was published. The way Bauerlein sees it, something new and disastrous has happened to America's youth with the arrival of the instant gratification go-go-go digital age (The Los Angeles Times). Instead of using the Internet to learn, Bauerlein believes youth are using it for social reasons alone: to talk with friends, follow celebrities, and things along those lines. But what about right now? I am not talking to anyone, my Facebook page is not up, there are no distractions around me whatsoever. I am focused on this assignment alone, and am searching the Internet for solely academic reasons as opposed to social ones. Bauerlein is relating to extreme cases, those youth who are addicted to the Internet.
In the Digital Nation episode, a quote by Shakespeare was given: "We are consumed by that which we are nourished by." The Internet, these social networking sites and online groups, allow for us to fulfill our needs, whether they be social, or academic. At this day and age, the Internet is a necessity. It's just a way of life now, and there's no way around that. We are all part of a "collective organism" that continues to grow larger everyday.
Oxford English Dictionary: http://www.oed.com/
The Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-book5-2008jul05,0,6248930.story
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