a) p. 174 What do you think of the notion that online community can be empowering/disempowering?
In answer to question I think that being part of an online community can be empowering and disempowering. Both empowerment and disempowerment can be considered in the case of online communities because there are different aspects that are both negative and positive in online communities. Rheingold holds the view that being part of an online community is an actual place. A place where he and others can take comfort and find fellowship amongst others by publishing posts about personal feelings and situations. In the example Rheingold uses of Jay Allison, who posted a message about his daughter's illness. Many responded with similiar heartwarming stories, this gives the writer a sense of empowerment as well as connecting on an emotional level to others in the online community. However the counter argument is held by John. P Barlow who ironically was the author of the declaration of independence for cyberspace. Barlow notws that in online communities there is a lack of diversity of age, ethnicity and social class. He also says that communication is disembodied so this presents a view of disempowerment because there is a lack of shared adversity.
b/c/d will follow tomorrow.
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It totally agree with this answer above. Of course online communities can be empowering, a lot of the time there used by people who want to get attention from others and talk to those with the same interests, if you post something and someone else agrees with you and looks up to your opinion you will feel empowered. But then again you may never get a reply from anyone and surly that would encourage feelings of dis-empowerment?
ReplyDeleteI think thats a good idea to point out, that you can publish you own thoughts and personal feelings but if noone is out there listening/ replying then this can lead to emotions getting hurt.
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