Networks have been very important in building personal, social, and professional relationships. Especially in high context cultures where mediation plays role in all transactions. People tend to define themselves by how many people in power do they know. Which will facilitate many procedures, and many times relationships become above the law. Thus, in these countries the structure of networks takes some how a hierarchy forms. On the other hand, networks may take a flat format where the nodes are equivalent or equal, that relationships are built in a horizontal rather than vertical. Both forms of networks function successfully in their own context. So it is difficult to indicate which one better in terms of function and productivity. But I personally think that the horizontal one is better because the nodes would function equally in terms of supply and demand.
Networks used to focus more on the structure and density of the process of communication that takes place within the network. But today networks are being seen through a critical of how the links in this network work, what means are used, what has been communicated, and in which format. It also focuses more on classifying the nodes, and how each node functions within the same network. Before networks were evaluated by the size, and structure, where as today it is being evaluated by the quality of nodes, and the strength of linkage these nodes have.
Internet as a network has exploited much of productive abilities and potential to make it function in a constructive manner. Electronic social networks have transformed the way real network function. Electronic social network helped in broaden the network in a global format. That also facilitated the way in which foreign networks could communicate with domestic ones. and it also enabled creating a vast database to which new networks can emerge. Virtual networks has enabled people to expose themselves the way they want others to see them. So thinking of an individual as a node in a network, who was perceived the way other nodes see it. Today this individual can manipulate and characterize the way in which others perceive him/her. Electronic social networks has also helped relationships to take multiple directions, when it was mostly limited to a single one in the conventional format. For example, linkedin, is a professional social network. its in fact enables the person to add additional personal information to his/her professional profile. This will enable others in his/her network to feel closer as becoming exposed to personal life.
With so much focus on electronic social networks these days, part of me wonders if they will continue to grow exponentially, level off, or if their usage will eventually decline. From an individual's perspective, the electronic network can make it easier to keep contacts professionally (i.e., LinkedIn) and personally (Facebook, Twitter). The technology is wonderful, and the concept of the network form isn't new, but the methodology of social networking is. Theoretically, an individual can portray themselves exactly as they see fit via electronic networks. But I feel like that has the potential to backfire in a few different ways.
ReplyDeleteWhile a person can control what information they choose to share about themselves in a network, the extent of its use isn't necessarily up to the individual. Facebook is notorious for its lack of privacy controls and sharing information with advertisers, so the information an individual provides for a certain purpose may be used elsewhere. Another problem with the rise of electronic networking is the ease of disseminating information about another individual or a group of individuals, with more difficulty of removing said information from network consumption if so desired.
All in all, electronic networking has become a nearly necessary tool for a person's professional and/or social lives, but it may not appeal to everyone. The difficulty lies in addressing concerns about those who may not wish to be as connected (this may be mostly a generational issue) and balancing the gap between electronic and non-electronic networks.